The main direction in the development of technological electronic devices is to simplify communication and increase efficiency in working with multimedia services. However, against this background, in just a few years, a whole segment of devices has formed that performs a number of medical tasks. A modern he alth gadget is based on the concept of a fitness tracker. That is, this is a sports device designed to take into account the individual characteristics of the user's body. As the capabilities of such devices expanded, the set of tools that the carrier of this technique could use also changed. Today, some models are real mini stations, provided with various medical controls.
He alth Gadgets Overview
These are devices with a minimal set of controls, a compact body and a wide range of features. Actually, all products from the wearable electronics segment are suitable for these characteristics. Such devices are combined by the presence of wireless modules for communication, autonomy and the ability to combine with smartphones. As a rule, these are sports gadgets, but there are also “smart” models.hours that are not related to this area. The latest versions of such models also provide programming functions. Based on the readings of the built-in sensors, the device independently makes a decision to change the operating parameters or the operating mode as a whole.
Instrument Assignment
There is a lot of skepticism about the value of wearable electronics both among casual wearable electronics fans and in professional circles. The ergonomic advantages of a compact gadget are practically not questioned, but the applications proposed for use cause ambiguous judgments. It was the he alth gadget that changed the attitude towards wearable electronics, offering quite understandable and useful options. So what are these devices for? First of all, the devices help to determine the number of steps taken for the whole day, the distance traveled, the pulse rate, the number of calories burned, etc. This is the standard tool kit for sports wearable electronics.
Models focused on maintaining he alth are provided with analyzer and self-diagnosis functions to a greater extent. In addition to the above options, the user receives a posture controller, a tonometer, an altimeter, etc. A he alth gadget with sleep monitoring is also common. It allows you to calculate the time that the owner of the device slept at night, as well as calculate the number of awakenings.
Sports watches as a typical representative of the segment
The fashion for gadgets with self-diagnosis applications has gone from "smart"watches designed for runners. And not only professional, but also amateurs. The user's hand always had information about the distance traveled, running speed, etc. Gradually, fitness applications were added to this set of functions. Modern models of such watches are more likely to develop in the main performance indicators. For example, sports watches with a heart rate monitor and a pedometer from different manufacturers actively compete with each other in terms of size, autonomy and ergonomics. Each manufacturer strives to offer watches that are small yet functional and easy to manage. But only a few manage to combine these qualities. And this is not to mention the quality of the software filling. It is obvious that it is not an easy task to combine a large set of diverse applications with sensors in one tiny device. Therefore, users have to sacrifice individual characteristics, choosing the best solution for themselves.
Varieties of devices
Sports watches with tracking features are just one form of the wearable concept. A heart rate monitor bracelet is also common, provided with the same functions. There are also specialized models focused on working with a certain indicator. These include bracelets that reflect the blood alcohol content by examining the characteristics of sweat. The device contains an electrochemical transdermal sensor that monitors ethanol emissions through the skin. Further, information about the "analyzes" is processed and displayed onminiature display in a user-friendly way.
Specialized models include glucometers that allow you to determine the level of sugar in the blood. What distinguishes such devices from full-fledged medical devices? Possibility of interfacing with other mobile devices, portability and control of the target parameter in a constant mode. A separate niche in the segment is occupied by tricorders. These are already multifunctional medical gadgets close to full-scale technology. Such a device allows you to work with several metrics, including heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation and even ECG.
Pros of he alth gadgets
All the advantages of such devices come down to mobility, ease of management and the ability to constantly monitor your body's performance. The scheme of operation of the gadget is simple and requires a minimum of effort from the user. As a rule, it is enough to set the operating mode, after which the recorded information will fill the corresponding graphs. A modern heart rate bracelet also allows you to instantly send data to a smartphone, and through it to the Internet. This is convenient if, in addition to your own interest in medical indications, there is also the task of informing the attending physician.
Disadvantages of medical gadgets
Of course, in any design, the gadget, by definition, will not be able to provide the level of accuracy with which full-fledged medical devices work. The modest size of thesedevices impose significant restrictions on the possibility of using sensitive sensors and sensors. Therefore, the same sports watch with a heart rate monitor and a pedometer should be considered as a measurement tool with a high degree of error. Nevertheless, taking into account the dynamics of changes in one or another parameter in this case may be quite correct.
Popular Manufacturers
All manufacturers of gadgets of this kind can be divided into two types - these are directly manufacturers of mobile electronics and companies related to the production of medical or sports equipment. Among the representatives of the first category, the leading positions are occupied by Sony and Xiaomi, which produce expensive, but attractive in appearance, ergonomic and productive electronics. But the most accurate and practical gadgets for fitness and he alth are released by developers, including those specializing in medical topics. These include models from Youwell, Polar Loop, Omron, Fitbit Flex, etc. These devices are modest in design and features, but they outperform popular competitors due to the quality of their measuring functions.
How to choose a he alth gadget?
The set of optional measurement tools is determined individually according to your own needs. The only thing that can be recommended here is that if you need high measurement accuracy, then it is better to use a specialized mono device to work with one specific indicator. Otherwise, all he alth monitoring gadgetsshould be judged by the operating time on a single charge, how functions are controlled, the quality of the display, etc. As practice shows, the method of communication with a mobile device also matters. It is desirable that the tracker provides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi synchronization channels.
Conclusion
The segment is developing rapidly and covers all new areas of technological advancement from other areas. For example, manufacturers do not forget to improve the software stuffing of devices, providing them with the latest versions of iOS and Android. At the same time, the cost of models no longer bites as much as in the years of the debut appearance of the first concepts of the same “smart” watches. In modern modifications, sports gadgets can cost 3-4 thousand rubles, offering a complete set of basic metrics. For 10-15 thousand, you can count on high-quality products from Xiaomi or Sony, which will delight you with wide functionality, a capacious battery and additional features. But in any case, you should not consider such devices as full-fledged medical equipment.
