Tech in health: What it gets right and wrong

Digital health was a big topic at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. From wearable fitness tech, to haptic gloves that allow you to ‘feel’ what you are picking up in the virtual world, there are so many innovations that can be applied to healthcare. Our team also tried out the Magic Leap, an immersive AR system, which overlays 3D images and text on the user’s surroundings. The idea is that this can even be used in an operating theatre to help plan surgery.

Our Digital Creative Director Chris Nicholls reflects:

“After listening to one of the panel discussions on ‘Big Tech in Health: What it Gets Right and Wrong,’ it’s clear that some seismic shifts are needed to ensure more people have access to these technical innovations. The panel, with representatives from Microsoft, Samsung, Google and DiMe, explained that big tech needs entrepreneurs and radical thinkers to partner with to change the landscape. As they all pointed out, no company can do it alone.

There is a big opportunity for big tech and pharma to give patients greater control over their care – predictive care. Wearable tech and other innovations can encourage healthy behaviours and get people moving, but we also need to consider their environments. Walking through the Google booth, it was clear that frictionless, connected living is here. It’s about connecting the individuals, the technology and their care needs in the most effective way.

The next step is to see those partnerships happening and ensure that there are common platforms and standards, so that these tools can be opened up to allow further innovation. For me, it’s about being selective in the technology you use. At Inizio Engage XD Digital, our approach always keeps the user at the centre of everything we do. Our aim is to find that sweet spot, connecting creativity with technical innovation.”