The new Withings Thermo just made taking your temperature look cool (updated)
Withings just took the wraps off the Withings Thermo, a Wi-Fi connected thermometer with 16 independent infrared sensors and a sleek design to boot!
A 16-sensor array quickly focuses on the temporal artery to obtain accurate temperature readings. (Image Source: Withings)
Infrared thermometers are nothing new. But they tend to look a bit clunky and generally aren’t very interesting. That perception looks to be what Withings is aiming to change with the new Withings Thermo, a sleek Wi-Fi connected thermometer with a sophisticated 16-sensor array and a cool color-coded LED display.
The new thermometer just debuted at CES Unveiled Las Vegas, in the immediate run up to CES 2016. According to Withings, the Thermo is one of the fastest and most accurate thermometers out there. It is also non-invasive and exceedingly easy to use – simply place it on your forehead and click a button.
Its array of 16 independent infrared sensors focuses on the temporal artery at the side of the head and can quickly locate and measure the infrared signature and heat emitted. Withings is calling this its HotSpot Sensor Technology, and without requiring any movement on the user’s part, the sensors can acquire 4,000 measurements in just 2 seconds. A custom algorithm then automatically corrects for biases, such as skin heat loss and ambient temperature, and also determines the hottest point to ensure that you get a reliable reading the first time.
We were given a quick demo of the new Withings Thermo at CES Unveiled 2016. Temperature reported is in Fahrenheit in this example.
The device will vibrate when a measurement is complete. The temperature reading is displayed in either °C or °F on a large LED display on the thermometer’s side. The reading will glow green for normal, orange for moderate, and red for elevated temperature levels. In fact, this color-coding scheme is intended to make it easy to do things like evaluate the temperature of a sleeping child in the dark.
As part of Withings’ family of connected health devices, which includes the Withings Blood Pressure Monitor and Smart Body Analyzer, the Thermo automatically sends temperature readings to a dedicated app on your smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It is also designed to make it easier to monitor the health of multiple users, in a family for instance, and even track temperature trends. Everyone’s normal body temperature differs slightly – some of us have slightly lower temperatures for instance – so the ability to follow trends would allow one to recognize a fever more easily. In the event of a fever, users would also be able to get a clearer view of recovery or progress.
The Withings Thermo pairs with a dedicated app on both iOS and Android devices. (Image Source: Withings)
Parents will find the app particularly useful because it can be set to notify them on when to check on their child’s temperature. The collected data can also be easily shared with a doctor at any time.
The Withings Thermo is expected to be available by March this year at US$99.95. It will support apps for both iOS and Android devices.
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