In the rapidly evolving world of wearable technology, keeping tabs on our physical well-being has become commonplace. From heart rate monitoring to tracking oxygen levels and skin temperature, wearables have come a long way. However, the latest innovations unveiled at CES 2023 hint at a new frontier – delving into our mental state. Prominent brands like Watchmaker Citizen, alongside emerging players such as BHeart and Nowatch, are stepping up with wearables designed to offer insights into our alertness, fatigue, and stress levels.

This shift towards prioritizing mental wellness isn’t entirely new, as previously seen with products like Fitbit’s Sense 2 and the Happy Ring. Nonetheless, the recent CES announcements underscore a growing industry focus on holistic well-being beyond just physical health.

Against the backdrop of a stress-ridden society, exacerbated by various socio-political and economic factors including the lingering effects of the pandemic, the need for such innovations is more pressing than ever. As tech companies delve deeper into stress tracking and mental wellness initiatives, the convergence of technology and health takes on a new level of significance in our lives.

Citizen CZ Smart Watch Innovates Alertness and Fatigue Monitoring

Citizen WatchCitizen Watch

Embark on a new era with the Citizen Watch, where cutting-edge technology meets personalized well-being. Citizen introduces the CZ Smart watch, integrating advanced tools developed in collaboration with the NASA Ames Research Center Fatigue Countermeasures Laboratory to assess levels of fatigue and alertness with precision and sophistication.

A standout feature of the CZ Smart watch is its unique Alert Score, revolutionizing how wearables engage with your well-being. By completing the Alert Monitor test within Citizen’s innovative YouQ wellness app, you unlock a comprehensive analysis derived from the renowned Psychomotor Vigilance Test employed by NASA to evaluate astronauts’ alertness levels.

Beyond conventional functionalities, the CZ Smart watch delves deeper into understanding your circadian rhythms, distinguishing between morning and evening preferences through insightful analysis of your sleep patterns and Alert Scores. By synergizing this information with traditional metrics such as heart rate and activity levels, the watch offers tailored recommendations to combat fatigue and enhance alertness effectively.

Pricing and Variants

Casual Finish Starting at $350
Sport Edition Starting at $375

Experience the fusion of elegance and functionality with the CZ Smart watch, where every detail is meticulously crafted to elevate your well-being and lifestyle. Choose your path to optimal alertness and vitality with Citizen’s latest innovation in wearable technology.

The BHeart band serves as a stress tracker that seamlessly attaches to your regular watch. This fitness band, created by the health tech company Baracoda, has garnered attention for its innovative self-charging mechanism that harnesses motion, body heat, and sunlight for power. Beyond its technical prowess, the BHeart band represents a growing trend of wearables aiming to offer insights into mental well-being alongside physical health monitoring.

Utilizing heart rate variability, the BHeart band claims to provide stress management readings. Through its accompanying app, users receive personalized recommendations such as taking a leisurely walk or practicing yoga to alleviate stress based on the gathered data. An interesting feature of the BHeart band is its flexibility; as it is a watch band and not a standalone timepiece, it can be paired with any standard watch with a lug width ranging from 18 to 22 centimeters, enhancing its versatility.

Priced starting at $100, the BHeart band is set to debut in April, offering users a multifaceted approach to well-being that integrates seamlessly into their daily routines.

The Nowatch: A Unique Wellness Tracker for Stress and Cognitive Performance

Image of the Nowatch on someone's wrist

Curious about a device named Nowatch that isn’t your typical watch? The Nowatch is a screenless wellness tracker designed to help you monitor stress levels and cognitive performance.

Collaborating with Philips, the company integrated sensors in the Nowatch to measure electrodermal activity, tracking changes in sweat to estimate stress levels. This technology mirrors what Fitbit offers in its Sense and Sense 2 devices. Additionally, users can manually mark stressful moments by pressing the crown on the watch, allowing the app to record these instances. This sets it apart from Fitbit’s Sense 2, which autonomously detects potential signs of stress and provides stress readings upon request.

One distinctive feature of the Nowatch is its Predicted Cognitive Zone functionality. This feature claims to offer insights into the wearer’s cognitive performance based on their physical condition.

Priced at $499, the Nowatch is currently available at a discounted rate of $369 until Jan. 9.

Wearables have evolved significantly in their ability to monitor various health metrics, such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature. The latest smartwatches and wristbands showcased at CES 2023 demonstrate a shift towards a deeper understanding of alertness, fatigue, and stress levels.

FAQs

Q1: What are some of the new features in the latest wearables showcased at CES 2023?
A: The new wearables introduced at CES 2023 focus on mental well-being, offering features like stress tracking and fatigue assessment.

Q2: How are tech companies incorporating mental health insights into wearables?
A: Tech companies like Citizen, BHeart, and Nowatch are integrating features that track stress levels and cognitive performance alongside traditional health metrics.

Q3: What factors are driving the interest in stress tracking and mental wellness?
A: Factors such as political divisiveness, inflation, and the ongoing pandemic have contributed to a rise in stress levels, prompting a greater focus on mental well-being.

Q4: How do wearables like Citizen’s CZ Smart watch assess fatigue and alertness levels?
A: Citizen’s CZ Smart watch utilizes tools developed based on research from NASA to gauge fatigue and alertness levels, providing users with an Alert Score through its YouQ wellness app.

Q5: What unique feature does the BHeart band offer in stress management?
A: The BHeart band calculates stress management readings using heart rate variability and may recommend activities like walking or yoga based on those readings.

Q6: How does the Nowatch estimate stress and cognitive performance without a screen?
A: The Nowatch utilizes sensors to measure electrodermal activity and track changes in stress levels. It also offers a Predicted Cognitive Zone feature to assess cognitive performance.

Q7: What are some recent advancements in smartwatch technology beyond traditional health metrics tracking?
A: Companies are now focusing on addressing factors like stress, burnout, and lack of sleep, with devices like Fitbit’s Sense 2 and Polar’s Ignite 3 emphasizing stress tracking and alertness prediction.

Q8: How are wearables like the Apple Watch and iPhone being used to monitor cognitive performance?
A: Biogen’s collaboration with Apple aims to explore the role of wearable devices in monitoring cognitive performance, highlighting the evolving landscape of health tracking technology.

Q9: What considerations should users keep in mind when using health-tracking wearables?
A: While these devices offer promising features, users should be mindful of data privacy concerns and the need for further validation of the accuracy and utility of these tools.

Q10: How do wearables like smartwatches and fitness bands contribute to a holistic approach to health and wellness?
A: Beyond traditional fitness tracking, these wearables are expanding their capabilities to address broader health concerns, signaling a shift towards more comprehensive health monitoring.

Q11: How do experts view the integration of mental health tracking features in wearable technology?
A: Healthcare professionals emphasize the potential benefits of mental health insights provided by wearables, underscoring the importance of addressing holistic well-being through technology.

Q12: What does the future hold for wearables in the context of advancing health monitoring capabilities?
A: The evolving landscape of wearables suggests a trajectory towards integrating advanced health monitoring features that go beyond traditional fitness tracking, paving the way for a more comprehensive approach to well-being.

Summary

The wearables showcased at CES 2023 mark a significant shift towards prioritizing mental well-being alongside physical health monitoring. Companies like Citizen, BHeart, and Nowatch are introducing innovative features that track stress, fatigue, and cognitive performance, offering users a more holistic view of their health. With advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on comprehensive health monitoring, wearables are evolving to address the broader spectrum of factors that influence our well-being. As the industry continues to innovate and explore new frontiers in health tracking, users are encouraged to stay informed about data privacy concerns and the potential benefits of integrating wearable technology into their wellness routines. Explore the latest in wearable technology and take proactive steps towards enhancing your overall health and well-being.