US Healthcare company uses CES to announce new consumer wearable line

US medical device manufacturer Abbotts used last week’s Las Vegas-based annual tech fest CES to announce its move into consumer wearables.

In the first keynote hosted by a healthtech company at CES, Abbotts chair and CEO, Robert B. Ford, announced that the firm was developing a new line of consumer biowearables – called Lingo – aimed at the general fitness and wellness market.

Utilising Abbott’s existing technologies – including its continuous glucose monitor (CGM) hardware, (developed in 2014 to manage diabetes), Lingo will focus on a wide range of biometric signals including glucose, ketones, lactate, and alcohol.

The diabetic US sitcom actor Sherri Shepherd shared her experiences of Abbotts’ current biowearable – the FreeStyle Libre 2 – with CES delegates, revealing that the device has transformed her life by giving her glucose readings through her smartphone.

Last year the company also launched a biosensor designed for professional athletes – the Glucose Sport Biowearable – and users include current world marathon record holder, Eliud Kipchoge.

However, the recent technology plans to be even more consumer based. Described as ‘a window into your body’ Abbotts claims Lingo will help users proactively manage their health, nutrition, and athletic performance.

The biowearable is a small sensor placed on the back of the upper arm. Lingo’s goal is to expand glucose monitoring so it can help people focus not only on their fitness performance but also weight loss, to help them sleep better, and improve energy, and think clearer.

“The lingo glucose sensor is going to decode that glucose language into specific insights that are just for you. This new addition to our sports biowearable will be suited to both elite athletes and those that are just beginning their fitness journey,” said Ford.

Other companies looking to make consumer products using CGM hardware include Signos, which is developing a real time glucose monitoring device to help health-conscious consumers to lose weight.

Abbotts move into this sector suggests it sees potential for biosensing wearables in the general consumer market.

In a serendipitous branding move, the healthcare firm was also on hand at CES to distribute its own brand complimentary Covid Self-Test kits to onsite delegates.