In April 2017, the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE was awarded to Final Frontier Medical Devices. This award was a demonstration of how technology in the health industry is becoming more and more accessible.  The award was created to create a “consumer-focused, mobile integrated diagnostic device inspired by the medical Tricorder of Star Trek® fame, first shown to TV viewers more than 50 years ago.”  A company called, “Final Frontier developed an affordable device that can diagnose and interpret a defined set of 13 health conditions to various degrees, while continuously monitoring five vital health metrics”.   The initiative not only created an amazing tool for parts of the world that lack a good supply of healthcare providers or the diagnostic tools to support them.  It is also, a demonstration how technology is rapidly changing our world.  What was once a “dream” is now a reality.  And technology didn’t stop a year ago, developments in these areas continue; creating more accessible devices and apps every day.

One of the amazing points about this award is it’s consumer focus.  Meaning that it must be: small enough, sophisticated enough, and cheap enough to be meaningful to the consumer and healthcare provider.  It’s not “gimmicky”, it’s the real deal. The information is industry level.  And having access to this information now means you are able to take control of your health!  Will you?

You don’t have to wait for the “tricoder” sales; Technology continues to move at “warp-speed” and even today health and fitness tracking technology is becoming more and more available to the average consumer.

There are an assortment of smart watches, activity trackers and fitness devices

Smartphone apps and adaptors for ECG monitors, BP cuffs, oximeters.  There is a scale that provides full body composition information, “Muse” to help you meditate better, “ResMed” to help you get your sleep, fertility trackers and, even an app to measure your happiness!

This has meant people are more aware or able to be more aware of their health and their health risks.

Increasing mainstream availability of sensors are giving us better feedback about what’s happening in our bodies.  Allowing us to discover insights into our health and looking at how we can improve it.  Like anything though these can be just another thing to distract from the making real change and living a healthy lifestyle that serves us well.

These tools are great, and we can make use of them as part of an integrated approach to creating overall wellbeing.  a pair of good walking shoes or yoga mat and, a smart phone could be just the place to start. With these you have all the tools you need to create the level of wellbeing you’re striving for.  The key to success is starting.  You’ve thought about it, now is the time to take that literal first step.  Don’t know how, come ask us.

Source: Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE  https://tricorder.xprize.org/press-release/family-led-team-takes-top-prize-qualcomm-tricorder-xprize-competition