2015 Electronics Showcases Various U-Health Products in a Dedicated "Healthcare" Space

The Korea Electronics Show (KES) attracted attention with its 'healthcare' specialized zone where the general public could experience the experience.

The healthcare specialist section showcased everything from wearable devices to professional medical devices, demonstrating the rapid expansion of the related market. Among these, mobile health (mHealth) devices that connect to mobile devices dominated the market. According to SensiAn, the mHealth wellness / sports & fitness device market exceeded $ 2.4 billion in 2014 and is expected to exceed $ 3.8 billion in 2020 . Here, we introduce two fitness products, one medical device, and two medical devices from the notable ' mHealth' category.

'Z-BIKE', exercise and health management all in one

If you're tired of the tedious indoor cycling routine, there's the Z-BIKE. Developed by Geo IT, the Z-BIKE connects to smart devices and features a proprietary app and 10 cycling programs for a fun workout. Unlike traditional indoor bikes, the Z-BIKE features a gyro sensor and handlebar controls, allowing you to adjust direction. Pedal load adjustments are also automatically applied based on the content mode, eliminating the need to manually adjust intensity. Plans to expand content through IPTV integration in the future ensure it appeals to everyone from children to the elderly, even those who find exercise tiresome.

'Whitmeter' improves data reliability through clinical validation.

Fit.Life's "Fitmeter," a fitness device, is compact enough to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and weighs only 13.7g. It can be carried in a pocket or worn as an armband, allowing users to track their exercise levels via a mobile app. According to a company representative, "Unlike other wearable devices, we've clinically verified the data to enhance its reliability." The "Fitmeter" analyzes activity calories burned, continuous exercise, and activity intensity, and its unique feature is its ability to measure exercise intensity using a 3-axis acceleration sensor.

The video below is a self-developed program that demonstrates intensity measurement. You can see the intensity being measured and the points increasing accordingly. A wearable device on display in the center of the booth caught the eye, and when the reporter asked about it, a representative said, "We plan to release a wearable device by the end of this year and launch it at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas."

A mobile low-frequency therapy device was also introduced. While not a specialized device, "Dr. Music," a medical device, analyzes music waveforms to generate low-frequency sounds. It can be connected to smart devices, radios, and game players to create low-frequency sounds from music, movies, and game sound effects. The device's simple design and compact size make it easy to carry and use anywhere. Conventional low-frequency therapy can limit movement and develop resistance to a single low-frequency rhythm, but this device addresses this resistance with a variety of music waveforms. This device also won the Gold Award at the 2014 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.



The u-health market is in full swing under government leadership.

In the professional medical device sector, Healcerion (HC) unveiled a wireless compact ultrasound device. Most compact ultrasound devices released by foreign companies rely on wired connections. In contrast, HC's product features a dedicated communication network. It wirelessly links ultrasound images to a proprietary app, allowing data analysis, capture, and transmission. This makes it useful in emergencies and during house calls. A company representative stated that in the future, dedicated ultrasound devices for use on fetuses and companion dogs with small internal organs will also be released.

Although its penetration rate is low in Korea, the "electronic stethoscope," which is expected to lead the future u-health market, is on display. The "Yabes Stethoscope," manufactured using domestic technology, has established an industrial base, primarily overseas. Kim Jong-su, CEO of GS Technology, said , " Currently, 130,000 people use telemedicine in the US, and the global telemedicine market is worth over 570 trillion won ." “Currently, the Yabes stethoscope can only be connected via cable , but we plan to make it Bluetooth-based and mobile-compatible around December ,” he said, expressing his expectations, saying, “Although the technology for electronic stethoscopes was introduced 10 years ago, it seems that the limitations of remote treatment can be overcome with the development of IoT by linking medical data with smart devices.”

Current medical law allows for D2D (Doctor-to-Doctor) communication, but not D2P (Doctor-to-Patient). Even in the United States, the largest telemedicine market, its application is limited to pediatrics and psychiatry. However, the use of electronic stethoscopes, which allow users to send their own data to doctors, is expected to expand its reach to internal medicine. Recognizing this potential, the "Yabes Stethoscope" has been supplied to five government ministries since May of this year.