InBody Chief Executive Cha Ki-cheol poses with a body composition analyzer at the company’s headquarters in southern Seoul. The watch-sized device is on display at CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas.
(Courtesy of InBody)
Pak Sis
Check your health with a bracelet?
While that may sound unrealistic, at least for now, Cha Ki-cheol says it’s already been decided.
“Put two fingers on the metal bar and we’ll check your health,” Cha, president of South Korean medical device developer InBody, said in a recent interview.
He placed two fingers (index and middle) on the surface of an iPhone, a sleek, black, gear-shaped electronic device he wore on his left wrist. After a few seconds, some numbers appeared on the screen. “These numbers tell you your health status,” he said.
Named “InLab,” the wristwatch-sized product is the world’s first wearable device that can analyze a user’s body composition, specifically, water, protein, minerals and body fat.
The product was showcased on Tuesday at CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show, which began over four days in Las Vegas.
“These are important components of the human body that are closely related to our health,” he said. “Frankly, the accuracy of the devices needs to be improved. But it’s only a matter of time, not whether it’s possible or not. I think there is great growth potential for wearable devices with health check capabilities.”
At a highly media-covered international trade fair, he unveiled what he called an “unfinished” product and demonstrated InBody’s capabilities in miniaturization.
“We are probably the only company with the technology to miniaturize a traditional, large, heavy body composition monitor into a bracelet-sized device,” Cha said. “This highly accurate device will be especially useful for elderly people and patients who need to check their physical condition frequently.”
(Provided by Les Numeriques)
He said the wearable analytics device will be equipped with a communication system that will enable the wearer to make an immediate emergency call in case of any sudden health issues.
He said the product would help further increase the company’s international profile.
InBody is already the world’s leading manufacturer of body composition analyzers, with its products installed in tens of thousands of gyms, hospitals, schools and government institutions in approximately 60 countries around the world.
These include the U.S. Navy SEALs, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, West Point Military Academy, Johns Hopkins Hospital, GE Healthcare, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Google, Boeing, and Columbia University, just to name a few.
The company boasts approximately 80 percent market share in South Korea and maintains strong leadership position globally.
The tech company, founded by Cha in 1996, had sales of 23.7 billion won ($21.36 million) in 2013, the most recent data available. The company has seen double-digit growth in recent years, driven by strong sales in developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan and Germany. The company plans to intensify efforts to expand its presence in China this year.
“GE Healthcare expressed interest in acquiring us several years ago, but I refused to sell,” InBody’s CEO said, “because I believe we will never be left behind on the global stage in body composition analysis.”
Inbody Bracelet Results (Courtesy of Les Numeriques)
