Withings Launches Smart Scale That Helps With Diabetes Management

[MacRumors]

Withings today announced the launch of the Body Pro 2, a cellular-connected smart scale that is able to detect early signs of diabetes and assess the risk of diabetes complications.

Using add-on health modules that are available by prescription, the scale is able to track biomarkers that are usually only available in a clinical setting. The diabetes module monitors Electrochemical Skin Conductance, which allows it to detect signs of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathies that can lead to diabetic foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathies are one of the most common diabetic complications, according to Withings, and as of now, are checked for only at annual doctor visits.

The scale works out of the box and requires no setup thanks to its cellular connection, which is able to transmit data securely to care teams. In addition to diabetes management, it has a number of other features, including support for tailored messages that can show up on the display, an eyes-closed mode that hides weight readings and instead provides motivational messages, and tools for measuring body composition.

The scale is able to recognize patients using a ProgramMemberID feature that ensures that care teams are getting readings from the right person, plus there is an "engagement score" to allow for tailored coaching.

More information about the Body Pro 2 can be found on the Withings website. As this is designed to be provided through a medical facility, pricing is not available.

Article Link: Withings Launches Smart Scale That Helps With Diabetes Management

 

[alexandr]

I love Withings, they really get design, kinda like .

 

[oofio2461]

This is a great device but I bet it's worth alot of money, knowing how expensive the American Health Care system is.

 

[CosmicTris392]

Is this the same people who made the scale that doesn't show your weight?

 

[EricNau]

Ugghhh. I have a Withings Body+ scale and it's dreadful in every way. It's designed poorly, with hard plastic feet that dangerously slip all over a bathroom tile floor (and the included feet for use on carpet don't work—measurements are all over the place). The software is buggy—e.g. trying to update wifi details results in needing to reset to factory settings. And the iPhone app is my least favorite part; it does a terrible job of the one and only thing you need it to do—syncing measurements, and it's bloated with so many useless widgets and whatnots that opening it is like falling into a maze.

Yet to be seen whether this scale suffers from the same deficiencies. I have two other Withings devices which do work better than the scale; regardless, the app is a dealbreaker for me. I'll never be buying another Withings product.

 

[iLuddite]

Cellular-connected? I'll send Withings the hospital bill when I get foot cancer.

 

[nutmac]

Cellular-connected? I'll send Withings the hospital bill when I get foot cancer.

I was a bit confused about this too.

Withing's Pro products are designed for the healthcare industry and they often have recurring subscription and cellular connection.

Whiting's Body Comp is their consumer offering with very similar capabilities (minus cellular, diabetes, and healthcare enterprise features). It's very expensive at $199.95 USD where some of the advanced tracking and analysis features are behind $9.95/month or $99.50/year subscription.

 

[Verified Whiskey]

The scale works out of the box and requires no setup thanks to its cellular connection, which is able to transmit data securely to care teams

While this is very cool, from a security standpoint it’s also very horrifying.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Why are Withings scale displays always so ridiculously small?

 

[severe]

I’ve a Withings scale that has caused more frustration than any other device in my home. Many calls to support regarding mostly connection issues. Absolute garbage device and app. Useless.

 

[roncron]

Cellular adds a lot of cost but is not needed to transmit data directly to the person's doctor. It can happen just as easily over the person's home wifi.

I had one of the first withings scale and it worked well. I had a withings blood pressure cuff that wasn't callibrated well, at my doctor's office it always got a higher reading than the nurse did.

 

[germinator]

Why does a scale need to *transmit* data? Just no.

 

[yeungdoug]

I live in Singapore and bought a Withings scale. When it failed, I was told that I have to ship it to the UK for repairs or replacement. Then I have to find a UK address so they can ship to that address, and I arrange for shipping back to Singapore. The cost of shipments would easily be more expensive than buying a new one. I wouldn't suggest buying Withings unless you live in a country they ship to. Otherwise, your warranty is as good as nothing.

 

[svish]

Wonder what the price will be

 

[robd003]

Why does a scale need to *transmit* data? Just no.

Because it'll let you record your weight data automatically. You can sync Withings with lots of health tracking / workout apps.

 

[arc of the universe]

now, about the Withings scale. i wish i would be able to enrole in a program that uses this scale. but wide scale rollout will probably take years. its more likely that this scale is being released this way (through approved health programs only) in order to get a wider scale of patient data to confirm Withing's claims, as its likely not able to get actual medical device certification at this point. similar to the apple Watch's need to stay away from making any claim of its sensors being a medical device. i like Withings products very much. and i wish them much success with this scale.

 

[TPowers]

While this is very cool, from a security standpoint it’s also very horrifying.

Possibly, however it’s not the first to do this. For example, some CPAP devices also do the same in certain markets.

 

[entropi]

(I got a withings scale btw, the sync can be a bit annoying sometimes but apart from that it has worked perfectly for 10 years. it doesn't help me manage the responsibility of grown up eating-habits though... but it informs me about when to cut the crap and change things and that works.)

 

[ralph_sws]

Wonder what the price will be

A lot and remember about the monthly subscription 😆

 

[deno]

Why are Withings scale displays always so ridiculously small?

They're really not. I have pretty poor eyesight but weigh myself first thing on a morning without my glasses on and can read the display just fine.

 

[PsykX]

Huh ? I' confused. Which is the real Withings between https://withingshealthsolutions.com/ and https://www.withings.com ?

Totally different websites, different products...

 

[JordanCautious]

Usually when a company shows a great product and doesn't announce the price, it's an indicator it's going to be pricey. Almost every time. But good for the people who need it. It's always cheaper to prevent having to interact with the US Healthcare system. An investment in a person's health is never wasted, as the alternative is probably going bankrupt from medical debt.

This thing definitely costs several hundred though. Just have a look at the rest of their product lineup

 

[CraigB1960]

Ugghhh. I have a Withings Body+ scale and it's dreadful in every way. It's designed poorly, with hard plastic feet that dangerously slip all over a bathroom tile floor (and the included feet for use on carpet don't work—measurements are all over the place). The software is buggy—e.g. trying to update wifi details results in needing to reset to factory settings. And the iPhone app is my least favorite part; it does a terrible job of the one and only thing you need it to do—syncing measurements, and it's bloated with so many useless widgets and whatnots that opening it is like falling into a maze.

Yet to be seen whether this scale suffers from the same deficiencies. I have two other Withings devices which do work better than the scale; regardless, the app is a dealbreaker for me. I'll never be buying another Withings product.

I own two Withings scales (Body Comp and Body Smart) and I don't have these issues except the bloated app widgets. I have been very pleased with them and no issues with their data integrating into Apple Health.

 

[CraigB1960]

Thanks for posting even though this product has no relation to Apple for all I can tell.

However, Apple, you seriously need to up your game with regards to health sensors in the Apple Watch!

It feeds data into Apple Health app is the connection.

 

[ufomism]

Ugghhh. I have a Withings Body+ scale and it's dreadful in every way. It's designed poorly, with hard plastic feet that dangerously slip all over a bathroom tile floor (and the included feet for use on carpet don't work—measurements are all over the place). The software is buggy—e.g. trying to update wifi details results in needing to reset to factory settings. And the iPhone app is my least favorite part; it does a terrible job of the one and only thing you need it to do—syncing measurements, and it's bloated with so many useless widgets and whatnots that opening it is like falling into a maze.

Yet to be seen whether this scale suffers from the same deficiencies. I have two other Withings devices which do work better than the scale; regardless, the app is a dealbreaker for me. I'll never be buying another Withings product.

Same experience, and after replacing batteries I the scale would no longer sync (common issue). Contacted Withings with all the troubleshooting steps I had done, but they just kept on telling me to try the same thing over and over again. Went on for a month then just closed my ticket. People report similar experiences in the reviews, seems they do everything they can to avoid warranty replacements.