While business travelers face the short and long haul throughout the year, travel peaks in the summer months with many people taking vacations. This makes airports, harbors and the roads particularly busy.
Going a way for a day or two is normally without incident; but longer trips, especially with the family in tow, can throw up hazards (or at least the perception of risks). One area of concern is health, especially in relation to food and the general environment. In cases where a different language is spoken or where health services are less sophisticated, then the fear of contacting an illness, like food poisoning, can obscure what should be a be fruitful business trip or a relaxing getaway.
There have been many new innovations in terms of travel technology. This month three new gadgets have been unveiled, which can aid the traveler. The focus with these is on safety and they fall within the emerging sphere of digital health.
First up is Kardia Mobile. This device is a small smartphone attachment and it is designed to monitor heart health. The device can record a 30-second EKG (heart rhythm reading) at anytime. If a traveler is concerned that the sudden chest pain they are experiencing might not be from indigestion but rather something potentially more serious, then the device can be of assistance. Not only does the device record the heart rhythm it interprets it and provides a recommendation as to whether medical cover is required.
The second gadget on show is called Verseo Wand. If the business traveler becomes stuck in a long line in a hot airport or if a family member becomes overheated at an amusement park this portable cooling wand goes provides a digital cold pack instantly. The pack can also heat up, in the event of a muscle ache. Hence the pack can help to address overheating, relieve muscle aches and also assist with serve headaches.
The final device is called the iHealth Smart Glucometer. This device is a portable, personal diabetes data management device and app. The aim is to help the traveler to track blood sugar levels on the move. It also has connectivity and this enables the results to be shared. This application allows the traveler to beam results back to their medical practitioner in their home country.
These devices are three examples of how start-ups are entering the digital health and travel market, demonstrating the how portable devices can help to make the travel experience easier and less worrisome.
