CES 2022 is All About Digital Healthcare, Even as COVID Concerns Cause No-Shows

Want to know how soon connected healthcare will be a fact of everyday life? Look to the bellwether Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2022), which for the first time is having a top healthcare executive deliver a keynote speech, while at least 100 digital healthcare companies have committed to display innovations at the trade show — the sector’s biggest presence ever.

In a coup for the healthcare industry, Abbott Chairman of the Board and CEO Robert B. Ford will keynote at CES 2022. Show owner the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) said, “This marks the first time in CES history that a healthcare company will take the mainstage for a keynote at the show. Ford will be joined on stage by a diverse group of Abbott’s top scientists, engineers, inventors and partners to discuss the technology revolution in healthcare, and how it is empowering people to actively engage in their own health.”

“CES is the ideal stage to spotlight how technology is allowing people to take control of their health,” Ford said. “Health is at the center of our ability to live a full life, and the acceleration of health technology has the potential to improve more lives in more places than ever before.”

Acceleration and innovation in health technology will be on full display at the annual gathering.

On Monday (Dec. 20) CTA announced that “the Las Vegas Convention Center at CES will feature the latest health technologies including remote patient diagnostics and monitoring, digital therapeutics, mental wellness, wearables and telehealth services. Participating health companies include: 3M, Abbott, AT&T Business, Colgate-Palmolive, Dassault Systèmes, OMRON Healthcare, OrCam, Penumbra, Philips, Sleep Number, Variowell and more.”

Of the unprecedented healthcare showing, CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro said, “The pandemic spurred rapid innovation from digital health companies across the globe who continue to find ways to make our lives safer, happier and longer. We are thrilled with health technology’s strong presence at CES 2022 and look forward to its continued growth in the years ahead.”

Somewhat ironically, while CES 2022 will be an in-person event — unlike the virtual version presented in January 2021 — a few name brand tech firms have said they will bow out of the trade show over health concerns, specifically, renewed fears as the omicron variant spreads.

The official word from CES is that show goers “MUST be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to pick up a badge and access CES in-person in Las Vegas. CES recommends you test for COVID-19 prior to departing for Las Vegas and within 24 hours of entering a CES venue.”

Despite this, and the fact that the show will go on with live attendees, didn’t stop Facebook, Twitter and other high-profile companies from opting out over COVID concerns.

While annual CES shows attract an average of 180,000 attendees (the virtual version drew 83,000) ZDNET reported that “US attendees will use the (iOS or Android) CLEAR Health Pass app to upload their proof of vaccination and generate a QR code to access their badges.”

The same article quoted CTA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jean Foster as saying, “We’re still working on the international part, but essentially, if you have a vaccination that’s approved by WHO and the US, there’ll be a third-party app that will validate your proof of vaccination and give you a green check-mark.”

See also: COVID Concerns Prompt Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest to Bow Out of CES