Withings is not unfamiliar with smart scales, but for the 2022 International Consumer Electronics Show, the company is taking a more ambitious approach to this small tool. Today, it was announced that Withings body scans will have the ability to take six lead electrocardiogram readings, segment body composition measurements, and evaluate foot nerve activity. Basically, it is a scale prepared for those who want to know how fat is distributed in the body and how it is related to their heart health. On the surface, Body Scan looks like your typical weight scale - despite having a retractable handle at the top. It contains four weight sensors and 14 ITO electrodes for the scale itself, as well as four located in the handle. The scale is also equipped with a larger 3.2 inch LCD color screen and a one-year battery life. In addition to Apple HealthKit and Google Fit API, it will also be integrated with Withings' smartwatches.

Withings body scan has a retractable handle that allows for 6-lead electrocardiogram and segmented body composition readings

Although the handle is definitely visually unique, it is also the reason why human body scanning is more interesting. Intelligent scales measure body composition through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Its working principle is to send low-level current through your body. Body fat, water, and lean weight all have different resistance levels, so based on the speed of current flow, the scale will estimate your body composition. However, most scales only have two contact points: your feet. This means that you have actually only estimated your lower body. Withings stated that body scans will use 'multi frequency' BIA, as the retractable handle provides two additional contact points, allowing for segmented body composition measurements.

Withings claims that body scans can distinguish between your torso, left and right legs, and left and right arms. The scale also decomposes body components into percentages of body fat and water, visceral fat, muscle and bone mass, as well as extracellular and intracellular water. It's hard to say how accurate Body Scan is - as we all know, intelligent scales are inaccurate - but it's nice to see Withings trying to provide additional background information. For example, many intelligent scales cannot distinguish between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Although unstable subcutaneous fat is relatively harmless, invisible visceral fat is actually the most dangerous to your health.

Body composition has recently revived in wearable devices. Samsung has introduced BIA analysis on its Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, while Amazon has also introduced body fat functionality on its Halo platform. Each of these companies emphasizes that their body fat tools can replace the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a flawed indicator for assessing overall health. That is to say, incorrectly tracking body fat can also become a potential cause of body deformities and other dietary disorders.

Body Scan

We have been searching for a safe and effective method, 'Shikha Anand, Chief Medical Officer of Things, told The Verge. We cannot solve the way the world views weight, but that being said, we will make every effort not to exacerbate it. We will try our best to be based on health, not weight. This will always be about the relationship between your weight and your health

Anand continued to explain that weight is usually related to self-esteem, which is also part of the reason why Withings hopes to repackage its scale as a health station. Anand said that this idea is to demonstrate the relationship between your weight and overall cardiovascular health and provide more comprehensive behavioral insights. Anand also emphasized that Withings is testing body scans for different consumer groups to ensure that body components function more effectively than harmful ones. She also stated that the Withings application will be upgraded through better data visualization to adapt to long-term trends.

In addition to body composition, Withings stated that body scans will provide heart rate, electrocardiogram records, and vascular age data at each weighing. ECG readings can be saved and shared with doctors. At the same time, vascular age characteristics aim to show people how their cardiovascular health compares to their peers.

Development of Bluetooth solutions for Tuyang Technology

Using Jerry's ultra low power Bluetooth smart chip, weight/body composition can be quickly measured through signal chain, power supply, and BLE connection components, allowing developers to create more compatible products and achieve data integration of weight measurement, TBW, ECW, and body composition systems. It can easily connect to smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches that have enabled BLE. Extremely low power consumption and easy to produce.

Chip model: AC6323A

CPU: 32-bit DSP

Support protocol: 5.1+BR+EDR+BLE

Packaging: QFN20

Although body composition, even electrocardiogram, is meaningful for a scale, Withings is taking it further by developing a new neurological assessment function with French medical device manufacturer Impeto Medical. It is said that this scale will measure the sweat gland activity of your feet and generate a score. According to Withings, foot nerve activity is currently being studied and there may be signs of neurological dysfunction.

We have learned a lot during the ScanWatch process and gained a better understanding of the FDA team. I think we are on the path of conducting [body scans] within a reasonable time frame

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