Spotted: The fitness tracker market is heating up. According to Fortune Business Insights, the impact of COVID-19 has led to a tremendous boost for wellbeing and fitness wearables. And they expect this growth to continue in the post-pandemic period, with the global fitness tracker market projected to reach $114.36 billion (around €116 billion) by 2028. But it’s not all Fitbits and fitness. Health innovation company NOWATCH has introduced a product they are calling an ‘awareable’ that is designed to measure stress levels and gently remind wearers to slow down.  

Premiered at CES 2022, the NOWATCH helps users to predict stress, improve sleep, and ‘restore balance’. The device measures stress by using an electrodermal sensor, which detects minute electrical changes in the skin. The NOWATCH’s sensor monitors cortisol levels to predict when the wearer is in the earliest stages of feeling stress. Developed with the electronics firm Philips, the watch claims to predict stress up to an hour in advance, and can then recommend calming activities, such as going for a walk or meditating.  

Unlike other fitness monitors, the NOWATCH is, unsurprisingly, not a watch. Its face consists of a machined, stainless steel disc, in a variety of attractive and soothing colours and patterns. Users can switch discs to match outfits and moods. The device will also track heart rate, temperature, sleep, and many other health and fitness metrics. However, the device does not monitor sports activities like traditional wearables – it is more about general health than individual sports tracking. 

Initially launched via an Indiegogo campaign that raised just over $100,000, in June 2022 NOWATCH announced the completion of a $8.7 million Series A funding round led by angel investor Chris Hall, with participation from Flow Ventures.

Other health wearables recently spotted by Springwise include ultrasound stickers for remote organ monitoring, an energy-harvesting wearable made from recycled waste, and a wearable gait sensor for in-home physiotherapy.

Written By: Lisa Magloff