The yearly CES Las Vegas event serves as a notable testing platform for some of the more unconventional health technology concepts.
This year is no different, as creators present a variety of innovations that may potentially transform how many individuals conduct their lives.
Numerous items are in the concluding phases of development and are being introduced, if not already open for early access.
However, several remain largely theoretical prototypes, including a mirror designed to assess body fat percentage, which its exhibitor mentioned is still very much a representation of their capabilities.
Following a walk through the exhibition floor, DailyMail.com is able to showcase some of this year’s leading health devices:
A computer mouse operated by your tongue
It sounds like something from a science fiction film, but developers have crafted a computer mouse that is completely controlled by your tongue.
Dubbed Augmental Mouthpad, the gadget resembles a small mouthguard featuring a metal pad in the center, which is fitted into the roof of the mouth.
To create this mouthguard, a 3D scan of the mouth is captured prior to customization for a snug fit.
The image above displays the augmental mouthpad
This device has been tailormade for quadriplegics or individuals who find it difficult to utilize their upper and lower limbs due to medical conditions.
It has also garnered significant attention from gamers, as noted by developers, with some already signing up for the product.
Describing the device, a representative explained that a user could maneuver a cursor across the screen by sliding their tongue over the metal area located in the center.
For a left click, users lightly tap the pad with their tongue; for a right click, they quickly suck in air, and to scroll, they glide their tongue over the pad in one fluent action.
When inquired whether prolonged use might tire the tongue, a spokesperson remarked that this was highly improbable — emphasizing that the tongue is regularly used for speaking without fatigue.
This device has been made available for an early access initiative in the US this year, and currently has 70 users who paid $1,500 for the gadget.
The creators plan to introduce the product by mid-summer, although it is expected to carry a higher price point.
A needle-free injection apparatus
Though it may appear unrealistic, soon it could genuinely be feasible to receive vaccinations without the discomfort of a needle.
The Dutch startup Flowbeams has engineered a compact pen-like device that can inject into the body without breaking the skin.
Displayed above is the needle-less injection device created by Flowbeams
Instead of utilizing a needle, it superheats and then propels a stream of liquid ‘thinner than a human hair’ through the skin at a velocity of 200 miles per hour.
This jet penetrates the skin without damaging cells, as claimed by the developers, administering the liquid without inducing significant pain or injury to the skin.
The apparatus is currently being fine-tuned for delivering Botox, fillers, and other cosmetic solutions.
However, CEO Lea Milovich informed DailyMail.com that they are also considering using this device for vaccine or insulin injections.
Development commenced in 2014, and FlowBeams was established three years ago — with the company expressing hopes to make it available commercially in the next one to two years.
About 25 percent of Americans reportedly fear needles, as per surveys, with roughly 16 percent disclosing that they routinely evade injections due to this fear.
A bra that can identify breast cancer
Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent malignancy among women in the US, with an estimated 310,000 instances diagnosed annually — a figure anticipated to rise by 77 percent by the year 2050.
Early identification is essential for survival, as women whose cancer is detected before it metastasizes have up to an 86 percent chance of survival compared to 31 percent for those whose cancer has spread beyond the breasts.
Pictured above is a prototype of the device designed for breast cancer detection
The bra is in its early development stages but may be available by October 2026
Yet, given complications with health insurance and the fast-paced nature of everyday life, estimates indicate that approximately 25 percent of women are not undergoing regular screenings.
To fill this void and provide early warnings of cancer, the French startup phibra is creating a wearable bra capable of tracking the breasts for alarming changes.
Users are meant to wear the bra for 15 minutes monthly, which is equipped with up to 80 sensors to assess the density and temperature of the breasts.
If it detectsany unexpected alterations, the system would notify the user to schedule a consultation with a physician.
Colin Gutton, COO of the firm, mentioned to DailyMail.com that the objective was to facilitate earlier detection of breast cancer and make it available to everyone.
The product remains in the initial phases of development, having been evaluated on 50 women in France to confirm its safety for utilization.
The start-up is now pursuing funding for extensive trials to further assess the product against traditional mammograms.
However, the developers aspire to launch it commercially by October 2026, with a price range of approximately $350 to $450 per bra.
They emphasize it should not be viewed as a substitute for breast screenings, which users should continue to obtain as advised.
Presently, U.S. health authorities recommend women over 40 years old undergo annual breast cancer screenings, and those above 50 to be checked biennially. With an increase in breast cancer occurrences among younger women, some of these individuals are also getting screened.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who possesses the lowest body fat percentage of them all?
Another gadget making headlines at this year’s CES is a mirror capable of measuring one’s body fat.
DailyMail.com reporter tries out the new Withings mirror
It was presented by the scale company Withings, who acknowledged that the product was still merely a ‘prototype’ and had not yet advanced into development.
The mirror resembles the dimensions of an iPhone screen but is significantly larger and is connected to a scale-like apparatus at the bottom.
Users simply stand on the scale, which then conducts a body scan, displaying results on the expansive mirror.
The technology gathers five sets of data, inclusive of heart fitness, respiration rate, sleep quality, and blood vitamin levels.
During the demonstration for DailyMail.com, the mirror revealed information on how the reporter’s purported body fat and breathing rate had evolved over time.
Additionally, it indicated low Vitamin C levels, prompting an immediate suggestion for supplements for the reporter, as well as concerns regarding a heart issue, advising the reporter to consult their physician.
A Withings spokesperson at CES highlighted that the product remains a concept and that the technology for all this through a mirror is not yet attainable.
Nonetheless, they stated it was meant to showcase what Withings aims to accomplish in the future.
Free 90-second eye examination coming to a store nearby
A device capable of testing your vision and generating a prescription in just 90 seconds may soon be available in a grocery store close to you.
The Eyebot is a self-service machine that performs tests for free, then charges a nominal fee to provide an ophthalmologist-approved prescription.
It employs the same components as a standard eye test, displaying a random sequence of letters that gradually decrease in size and a hot air balloon that moves in and out of focus.
The eye test machine being tried by a DailyMail.com reporter
DailyMail.com’s reporter experimented with the machine while using contact lenses, and found it simple to operate and efficient.
It produced a prescription slightly less than perfect, which the founder Dr. Martin Hofmann attributed to the contacts, suggesting that the reporter should prefer glasses.
Eyebot has already been implemented in a few ophthalmology outlets in Massachusetts and has gained rapid popularity — with each device ‘examining’ about 100 patients daily.
Founder Matthias Hofmann disclosed to DailyMail.com: ‘You say free eye test and, instantly, you have a queue!’.
The machines are gaining momentum, with a collaboration with an unspecified major ophthalmology chain anticipated to be declared in the early part of this year.
However, a representative mentioned they are also aiming to position the machines in Walmart, Target, or another similar large-scale chain — to enhance accessibility for consumers.
And the machines garnered their share of enthusiasts at CES, with DailyMail.com noting that — despite returning to the booth three times — there was consistently a queue of at least four people eager to test the product.
Hofmann expressed to DailyMail.com that he conceived the invention after realizing that eye tests conducted on smartphones were not well-received.
The goal was also to provide a swift and convenient method for obtaining an eye examination, which doesn’t necessitate reserving an expensive consultation that can consume an hour of someone’s time.
Of the estimated 93 million Americans at elevated risk for severe vision impairment, only half had visited an eye doctor within the past year — primarily due to a deficiency of awareness or financial constraints.