Withings is Bringing Its Hybrid Smart Watches & Smart Scales to India Aimed at CVD Tracking

Withings’ devices are equipped with medical-grade electrocardiogram capabilities, continuous heart rate tracking, and blood oxygen level monitoring.

Withings, a globally renowned home-based care device maker is finally entering the Indian market. The French health devices company has announced a range of products to be launched in India specifically targeting cardiovascular disease detection and monitoring.

These advanced health monitoring devices include Withings’ hybrid smartwatches, smart scales, and blood pressure monitors.

These devices will offer real-time health trackers as well as clinically validated health scans to enable users to monitor their health.

The prices of these devices are yet to be announced.

Key Features of Withings Health Devices

The devices launched by Withings are hybrid smartwatches. These devices are equipped with medical-grade electrocardiogram capabilities, continuous heart rate tracking, and blood oxygen level monitoring.

This can help the early detection of atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular irregularities.

On the other hand, its smart scales go beyond traditional body composition measurements. It assesses pulse wave velocity, a crucial indicator of arterial stiffness linked to hypertension.

Moreover, Withings' blood pressure monitors allow at-home monitoring, generate detailed reports and seamlessly integrate with stethoscopes helping detect conditions such as Valvulopathy.

Talking about technological integration in enhancing health monitoring, Eric Carreel, president & founder, Withings, said, "Withings is dedicated to democratizing access to transformative health technologies. Our devices are designed to capture real-life data effortlessly, making it easier for individuals to manage their health proactively."

Luxury Personified, the exclusive distributor for Withings in India, also expressed optimism about the potential impact of these products.

Rationale Behind India Entry

Withings launched in 2008, has made a name for itself in the home-based health devices segment with the launch of a blood pressure monitor.

Over the years it delivered several firsts including the first analog smartwatch, the first smart scale featuring pulse wave velocity, the first under-mattress sleep analyzer, the first analog smartwatch with built-in ECG, etc.

It is believed that Withings products compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung, tech giants who are making aggressive moves in the wearable device segment globally.

Withings products, however, are likely to have higher price points in India catering to the premium healthcare segment.

Wearable Device Market in India

Much of India's billion-plus population is at an increased risk of lifestyle-led diseases. cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of mortality in India, with a higher age-standardized death rate compared to the global average.

As per the estimates by the Global Burden of Disease study, the age-standardized CVD death rate in India is 272 per 100,000 population. This is higher than the global average of 235 per 100,000 population.

Moreover, India’s urban population is at high risk of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, high blood pressure, etc.

Wearable devices such as smartwatches provide convenient monitoring of individual health markers. In India too, the wearable health device market is seeing steady growth.

The smart wearable market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.9% by 2027. Moreover, it is expected to surge at a vigorous 13% CAGR from 2022 to 2032.

Existing players such as Boat, Noise, Realme, Xiomi are providing health markers including smartwatches in the affordable segment.

However, for a long time, Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch series have dominated the premium health devices segment.

Both have been trying to add more features including a non-invasive continuous blood sugar monitoring tracker. Further, Samsung is also focusing on the Galaxy Ring, as the trend of non-bulky wearable devices is catching on.