Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Visible(opens in a new window)
Apps
Biotech & Health
clime
Image Credits:Visible(opens in a new window)
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
widget
Gaming
Government & Policy
Hardware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
seclusion
Robotics
Security
societal
quad
startup
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
event
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
newssheet
Podcasts
video
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
touch Us
Finally, a tool for tracking long COVID, chronic fatigue and cancer recovery
There ’s no shortage of health and fitness tracker — the lean of provider is as long as my arm , range from the mainstream ( Apple , Google , Samsung , Fitbit , Withings ) to the more esoteric and specialised ( Polar , Suunto , Garmin ) . The presumption underpinning each of those devices is that you ’re more or less goodly , and wanting to get in better form .
But what if you ’re not healthy?Visibleis lending its phonation to the healthcare technical school revolution — providing a much - need spotlight on the underserved , all while offering Bob Hope to millions wrestling with unyielding chronic illnesses , include long COVID .
The company has emerged as a game changer in healthcare tech , wreak to the landscape painting an innovative “ unwellness tracker ” that is facilitate users best oversee their strong-arm uncomfortableness — a departure from the seaworthiness - focused mind-set that dominates most survive wellness wearables in the market . The company ’s software , which come in the form of iOS and Android apps , is harnessing the power of health engineering science and advanced data analytics to address the needs of stern showcase of continuing sickness — a market that Harry Leeming , co - founding father and CEO at Visible , describes as “ wildly underserved . ”
Visible did n’t ab initio jell out to become a diagnostic shaft for long COVID or other chronic illnesses . Rather , its journey begin with the simple purpose of streamline patient communication during the chaos of the COVID outbreak . However , Leeming soon recognized the importunity of the retentive COVID trouble and twist to the theme of building the “ illness tracker . ”
“ multitude are eager to move the conversation on from COVID , but the the true is inveterate fatigue was a problem long before long COVID pip the headline . Chronic Lyme Disease , fibromyalgia , chronic tiredness syndrome — there was already a immense community of patients that were underserved . foresightful COVID is the strongest ‘ why now ’ slide — and it has shone a twinkle on all these other circumstance , ” say Leeming in an interview with TechCrunch .
Trying it out
As someone who suffers from long COVID myself , I tried its root out as I wasat CES in Las Vegas earlier this year . The party uses a Polar uninterrupted heart monitor striation to keep track of heartrate throughout the day , and heart - rate variability , using that as a proxy for how well your body is doing .
From that , it feed you a “ dawn check in ” rating from 1 - 5 . If your rating is awful , the app indicate to maybe take it a piece easy that day . If you ’ve got yourself a 5 , you ’re quick to run a battle of Marathon . Or , at least , amble to the coffee workshop and eat donuts . The app does n’t judge — but it does give you a ecumenical musical theme of how your twenty-four hours might be reckon from an energy point of thought , so you’re able to plan consequently .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
On the busy show base of CES , get a thumb up from the app was helpful . And when , on one of the years , it give me a “ erm , maybe chill today , ” I chose to ignore it . Unfortunately , the app was right , and by 8 p.m. I was a stalk of a soul . Damn you , skill .
Still , being capable to get advance warning of how well I ’m doing on a given day is a sinewy tool — as many other farseeing COVID sufferer have observe with the Visible app
What’s next?
“ COVID has certainly the strongest ‘ why now ’ event . It has shine a light on this massive , unnoted market of continuing circumstance , ” Leeming said . “ We aim to take fitness , wellness and illness into account with our tracker . At first , in November 2022 , we launched in a free app that just employ your smartphone information . We ’ve had over 45,000 people join the platform , through constitutional development . Then we rolled out the exchange premium subscription . Today , we have around 2,000 people that are using that . ”
While the program ’s primary aim revolves around COVID monitoring , it has become clear that it is having an impact on far more than just those battling the pandemic virus . The company suggests that people with post - concussion syndrome , post - surgery fatigue and cancer recovery are also get ahead benefit from Visible ’s data point - centrical approach path . The all-embracing appeal and multifaceted usefulness of the tracker are an supporting step forward for those who have been marginalized by a “ one - size - fits - all ” model in traditional healthcare .
No longer a simple risk appraisal tool , Visible ’s “ illness tracker ” has acquire into a personal assistant for health care and a symbolisation of empowerment for patients . Leeming evoke the tool is still very much in its embryonic stagecoach and acknowledges that it only loosely channelise decisions for now . But he has high hopes that it could facilitate good outcomes .
In a tech landscape that constantly demands more , Visible trusts users to mind to their own bodies , only providing them with the data to make more informed decisions . It ’s a refreshing mind — a tech company that does n’t overpromise and underdeliver , but set realistic expectations for its develop product . Even at this initial point , it certainly seems that seeable is starting to illuminate a new way forward for chronic illness sufferer .
