Nokia's Withings Launches Connected Thermometer In U.S.
Withings, a French digital health tech, has announced the commercial launch of Thermo, a non-invasive smart thermometer that takes temperature from the patient’s temple without touching the skin. Thermo, which will be available through Apple.com and Withings’ website, is Withings’ second product launch since its acquisition by Nokia Technologies earlier this year.
Withings first introduced Thermo at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January, saying it was designed primarily for young children who have a hard time holding a traditional thermometer under their tongue or arm. The battery-operated technology uses 16 infrared sensors to take over 4,000 measurements when placed at least one centimeter away from the temporal artery, and displays a temperature in seconds, reported The Verge.
Thermo also is equipped with Bluetooth technology. By connecting to an external app, patients can record and map temperatures over time, track when fever-reducing medication was administered, and communicate health information to a physician. Withings also is working with the fever management education technology Thermia, which was developed by Boston Children’s Hospital, TechCrunch reported.
Nokia completed its $191 million acquisition of Withings in May as part of its transition out of the mobile phone business and into digital health. Ramzi Haidamus, president of Nokia, commented that Withings’ product portfolio put the company in “perfect position to capitalize on the huge opportunity” in the healthcare market.
“With this acquisition, Nokia is strengthening its position in the Internet of Things in a way that leverages the power of our trusted brand, fits with our company purpose of expanding the human possibilities of the connect world, and puts us at the heart of a very large addressable market where we can make a meaningful difference,” said Rajeev Suri, CEO of Nokia, in an earlier press release.
Last month, Nokia introduced Withings’ first product launch since its acquisition: a connected scale with incorporated cardiovascular health assessment. By standing on the scale, a patient can receive a “holistic view” of their health measures, including weight, BMI, body composition, standing heart rate, and aortic pulse wave velocity.
Nokia recently partnered with Helsinki University Hospital to co-develop monitoring solutions for patients suffering from neurological conditions. The partnership is expected to expand Nokia’s digital health business beyond consumer products and into the clinical space.
Thermo is available starting July 19, 2016 at the Apple Store and Withings website for $99.95. The product is currently only available in the U.S., but the company anticipates an international rollout in the near future.