Reflecting on a decade at CES: Has digital health really transformed?

It’s been a decade since I first navigated the dazzling chaos of CES in Las Vegas. The buzz of innovation was thrilling, yet overwhelming.
This year, observing CES from a distance gave me a fresh perspective on the evolution of digital health. While progress has been remarkable, persistent challenges remain, yet, I remain optimistic for the future.
2015: The dawn of the wearables revolution
My first CES was marked by the wearable explosion.
Devices like Fitbit, Misfit, and Withings were pioneering a new frontier, offering fitness tracking, sleep insights, and even an early promise towards connected health ecosystems. But there were clear challenges. Interoperability, data security, physician and patient engagement were already significant concerns, and wearables often felt like novelties for athletes, rather than indispensable tools for healthcare.
The beauty and simplicity of design was emerging as critical. I recall Sonny Vu, then-CEO of Misfit, saying, “A wearable device needs to either be beautiful or invisible.” It was an aspiration already pervading the show floor, from Swarovski-adorned trackers to sleep sensors hidden in bedroom objects like lamps and mattresses.
2025: A more sophisticated landscape
Fast forward to 2025, and the digital health landscape feels both more mature and imaginative.
Contemporary wearables and digital health devices are doing more than tracking sleep and activity. Many of these devices now integrate advanced biometrics, providing actionable insights that bridge the gap between personal health tracking and clinical intervention. This evolution is driven by better sensors, AI-powered analytics, and a growing consumer demand for devices that not only monitor, but actively guide them towards their goal of improved health outcomes.
Wearables are no longer limited to fitness enthusiasts; they are becoming essential tools for managing chronic conditions and supporting preventive care.
Digital health devices are more than fitness trackers
From tracking fitness to managing stress, sleep, and chronic conditions, digital health devices are becoming increasingly versatile and essential to both personal and clinical care.
Eli Health’s Hormometer tracks cortisol and progesterone levels via saliva, offering actionable insights into stress, sleep, and fertility management.
Circular’s Ring 2 combines ECG and AFib detection with advanced sleep tracking, demonstrating how single-purpose wearables have evolved into multipurpose health tools.
Nextsense’s Tone Buds, clinical-grade EEG earbuds, use pink noise to enhance sleep, reflecting a shift from passive monitoring to active intervention, and signalling how the lines between consumer and clinical devices are increasingly blurred.
Digital health innovation is shifting toward actionable and personalised solutions
These examples highlight digital health’s shift from broad data collection to personalised insights, using real-time feedback and analytics to enable informed decisions and proactive health management.
Nuvilab’s AI Food Scanner provides real-time meal analysis and insights, optimising menus and reducing food waste.
L’Oréal’s Cell BioPrint uses proteomics to analyse skin health and predict issues, offering insights previously limited to specialists.
Remote care is evolving
Remote care is transforming healthcare delivery by overcoming barriers such as geographic location, time constraints, and resource scarcity, integrating real-time diagnostics with the aim of comprehensive care.
In 2015, healthcare was already moving ‘beyond the clinic’, with disruptors like Doctor on Demand paving the way.
Today, solutions like OnMed CareStation offer “clinic-in-a-box” capabilities, providing real-time consultations and vital checks to address access gaps in underserved communities.
AI is becoming omnipresent
Artificial intelligence has quickly evolved from an emerging technology to a key component of digital health, driving personalisation, efficiency, and accuracy in diagnostics and patient care. From automating routine tasks to aiding complex decision-making, AI has become indispensable.
Kami Vision’s Fall Detect Camera offers 99.5% accurate fall detection and emergency alerts to enhance home safety. HYODOL, an AI robot for dementia care, provides reminders, cognitive tests, and safety features, addressing health needs and reducing loneliness.
Smart and practical technology is blooming
The innovation showcased at CES highlights how practical solutions can meet niche, but impactful, health challenges. These technologies aim to enhance quality of life, especially for those with specific medical needs, by focusing on convenience, accessibility, and user-centred design.
Innovations like FlowBeams’ BoldJet for needle-free drug delivery, Soliddd Corp’s smart glasses for macular degeneration, and Kirin Holdings’ electric spoon that enhances taste without added salt highlight the creativity on display at CES.
Ecosystem integration and interoperability remain challenging
The Withings Omnia prototype smart mirror, showcased at CES 2025, may seem like a flashy gimmick, but it highlights a deeper ambition: mastering ecosystem integration in digital health. A “magic mirror” offering 360-degree body scans, real-time health metrics, and AI-driven insights really grabs attention, but the real challenge lies in solving interoperability – a less sexy subject. While overall seamless data integration remains elusive, we’re seeing progress with devices better integrated into broader ecosystems, enabling richer insights, real-time monitoring, and digital treatments.
Closing thoughts
CES remains a showcase of innovation, but it also highlights the gaps yet to be filled. Ten years ago, we marvelled at what wearables could measure. Today, we’re asking how these tools can transform lives, moving from passive tracking to proactive healthcare management.
The future of digital health holds exciting potential, but its success depends on being connected and inclusive. As we move forward, advancements must be practical, accessible, and designed to fit around patients' needs – not the other way around. Let’s ensure the next decade brings transformative progress that builds on the foundations already laid.