Announced earlier this year at CES, Withings today officially launched its latest connected health device, Thermo, a contactless thermometer approved by the FDA that "yields the most precise temperature possible" for parents looking to diagnose not only their children, but themselves.

With a connected app, which syncs to Thermo firstly through Wi-Fi but defaults to Bluetooth if Wi-Fi is unavailable, the company aims to track anyone's rough patch of sickness with temperature logs, medicine reminders, and a symptoms tracker all available for each user.

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Thermo claims its "clinical accuracy" comes from HotSpot Sensor technology, which uses 16 infrared sensors to take more than 4,000 measurements and readings in one swipe of the device on a sickly individual's forehead. After finding the hottest point of contact, the Thermo detects changes in temperature and displays its highest reading on the digital screen of the product's handle, with convenient LEDs for easy visual confirmation of a normal, elevated, or high temperature based on the user's age.

Using revolutionary HotSpot Sensor™ Technology, Thermo uses 16 infrared sensors to take over 4,000 measurements to find the hottest point. Thermo sweeps over the forehead and measures from the temporal artery — considered the best way to detect temperature changes, as the blood that circulates there comes directly from the core of the body.

Thermo is a game changer. Now a fast, simple, no-contact gesture yields the most precise temperature possible, and automatic sync with the dedicated app also allows you to track temperature readings, get reminders, and input related symptoms/medications right on your smartphone.

The biggest advantage of the new connected thermometer is that it doesn't require direct contact with skin to successfully read a person's temperature, which means, unlike traditionally invasive designs, Thermo avoids contact with potentially unsanitary body fluids like saliva and ear wax. Withings said this advantage makes Thermo "the most sanitary way to take anyone’s temperature."

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All of these readings are subsequently wired into the connected Withings app (supporting up to 8 family members), which accounts for a patient's age, fever history, and symptoms, guiding users to the best potential path for treatment. After temperature is determined on Thermo, a touch sensitive pad on the device's LED readout lets users toggle through family members to assign each reading. Push notifications can also be set up, so the app will remind users to take consistent readings throughout the day.

Thanks to a partnership with Boston Children's Hospital, parents can also get even more in-depth information on what kind of medication and dosage amounts they should look into if fevers run high enough to need a doctor visit. In order to keep track of everything happening during a period of illness, they can also mark down specific notes -- like how the sick family member is feeling -- to provide a more robust view of an individual's sickness when talking to a doctor.


Thermo is available for $99.95 and can be purchased exclusively both in Apple Stores and on Withings.com. For those who invest in the company's new thermometer, the Withings Thermo app is available for free on the App Store now. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

simonmet Avatar
90 months ago
As a doctor and most importantly as a parent of two children I will tell you this: these types of devices don't work. You measure five different times and you will get 5 different readings.
I guess the same can be said of an oral thermometer, especially if it's a child or baby that doesn't want the intrusion.

But seriously, since you are writing off this and all devices like it...how can it even get to market? Assuming you mean 5 very different readings, wouldn't it fail standards and certification or be forcibly recalled? Or are you being pedantic and arguing about differences of 0.1-0.3 degrees...i.e. the same uncertainty as an oral thermometer? Assuming the former in Australia it's within your consumer rights to get a refund if it's "not fit for purpose". A thermometer that can't measure accurately is the very definition of not fit for purpose and if proven the ACCC would forcibly recall and potentially issue fines and other requirements.

No offence but without evidence your statements sound a bit arrogant. Not saying you're wrong or that I don't believe you.

At any rate if a baby has a fever I'm pretty sure it would be obvious for reasons in addition to feeling warm or getting a high reading.

But you tell me since you're the doctor!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
radiology Avatar
90 months ago
As a doctor and most importantly as a parent of two children I will tell you this: these types of devices don't work. You measure five different times and you will get 5 different readings.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
90 months ago
Contactless:

Shows thermostat rammed against baby's head.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
attila Avatar
90 months ago
Why do all things need an app? Water bottle! There's an app that says how full it is! Thermometer! It has bluetooth! You don't need to surgically implant it!

I see zero advantage over the traditional one:

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
balamw Avatar
90 months ago
Not just wireless. Wifi AND Bluetooth!
Both are wireless radio frequency links. Hence my use of the generic term.

B
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
balamw Avatar
90 months ago
Am confused. I've been using one of these since my kids were little, and it sounds like the only added feature here is the wireless link to smartphones.

http://www.exergen.com//medical/TAT/tatconsumerpage.htm

B
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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