Where is wearable technology heading and what can we expect from the wearables market? When it comes to biometric wearables and hearables, we've only scratched the surface of what's possible. In this webinar, Dr. Steven LeBoeuf takes a look back at trends and achievements in wearables in 2018 and weighs in on the outcomes of last year's predictions. We also highlight some unexpected changes you need to be ready for in 2019 and beyond.

1. Top Wearables Predictions
for the Year Ahead and
2018: Year in Review
© 2018 Valencell, Inc
Dr. Steven LeBoeuf
December 2018

2. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
Looking at where we’ve been
and where we’re headed.
Agenda:
• 2018 Year in Review
Trends and accomplishments
• Predictions for 2019
What to expect from the wearables market
• Key takeaways
• Q&A

3. 2018 Year in
Review
Where We’ve Been

4. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2018 Prediction:
Consumer wearables and medical device markets will “officially” converge
A medical device company will buy a major wearable company, or a major wearable company will buy a healthcare
company, or maybe both.
“Fitbit buys Twine Health in bid to become a
more serious health care tool”
“Apple is launching medical
clinics to deliver the ‘world’s best
health care experience’ to its
employees”
“Apple Watch 4 Is Now An
FDA Class 2 Medical Device”
“Garmin, Actigraph partner on
wearable-driven medical research”

5. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2018 Prediction:
Viable cuffless blood pressure products will launch for the first time
Like many predictions in
Valencell history, we were right
about everything but timing.
While it may be later than we
anticipated,
cuffless BP is close.
2019 product launch:

6. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2018 Prediction:
The ear will be a primary location for innovation in wearables
“Valencell and Sonion Partner
for Biometric Ear Modules”
“Google and Amazon could be
working on Apple AirPods
competitors”
“Bose is entering new territory with
noise-masking sleepbuds”
“Starkey Livio AI hearing aid doubles as a fitness
tracker... it even includes Alexa voice control.”

7. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2018 Prediction:
Every major headphone company will launch
true-wireless earbuds in 2018
2017: 2018: 2019:
Remaining
holdouts will
announce
product launches

8. 2019 Predictions
A Look Ahead

9. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2019 Prediction:
Major regulatory updates from the FDA
• The FDA recently announced a new pilot program which includes big wearable
players like Apple, Fitbit, Samsung and several other companies. The program
would help companies fast track health developments.
• FDA plans to overhaul the 510(k) clearance process for medical devices.
• We will continue to see major updates from the FDA in 2019 as lessons are learned

10. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2019 Prediction:
Biometric devices will improve public health at reduced costs
Insurers are getting involved which changes the economics of wearable adoption at scale.
“Life Insurance Companies Are Luring
Fitbit and Apple Watch Users With
Deals…the industry sees health-
conscious customers as good risks.”
“John Hancock is making discounted Apple
Watches available to life insurance
policyholders enrolled in its Vitality program.”
“Humana says it will use Fitbit Care to assess insurance premiums”

11. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2019 Prediction:
Biometrics will be embedded in more VR/AR products
• Mainstream consumer use has been limited due to availability,
cost, and other factors, but use will increase in 2019.
• VR and biometric technology continue to build and develop,
influencing how we use these technologies in industries like
healthcare and fitness.
• Augmented reality will create experiences using sound

12. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
2019 Prediction:
First biometric hearing aid will launch

13. ©2016 Valencell. Inc
One thing you will NOT see in 2019:
medical-grade noninvasive glucose monitoring
There are only 3 things certain in life:
• death
• taxes
• the utter absurdity truly non-invasive blood glucose monitoring
suitable for dosing insulin
References:
1) https://valencell.com/blog/2018/08/important-questions-about-non-invasive-glucose-monitoring/
2) http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/indepth/2017/jun/08/just-beyond-our-fingertips
3) http://www.mendosa.com/The%20Pursuit%20of%20Noninvsive%20Glucose,%20Fourth%20Edition.pdf

14. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
Key takeaways
• Medical wearables will see accelerated growth in 2019
• This trend will be fueled by regulatory changes lowering the barrier to product entry and
market awareness of heart-health-monitoring wearables (Alivecor and Apple products)
• Insurance plans based on data from wearables will drive market adoption of traditional
fitness wearables for public health purposes
• The 1st biometric hearing aid will launch in 2019, setting the stage for medical
hearables

15. Q&A
Open Discussion

16. © 2018 Valencell, Inc
Join us at CES 2019!
Booth #44006
Sands Expo, Level 2; in the
Digital Health area
Along with our partners at Sonion, we’ll
demonstrate advanced wearable and
hearable sensors and components that are
enabling cutting edge devices, such as
hearing aids that can measure vital signs and
monitor health conditions.

17. ©2016 Valencell. Inc
Dr. Steven LeBoeuf
leboeuf@valencell.com
www.valencell.com