Smart devices to help you have more fun and stay healthy

Nothing feels better than the euphoria and sense of accomplishment after a good run or intense workout. Tracking health and improving our daily fitness is something we all have become increasingly interested in maintaining. This year's Consumer Electronics Show delivered on these desires in a big way.

Tech companies plus health and fitness companies this year have joined forces and taken major steps to seamlessly integrate technology into our lives with an eye on improving fitness and health. Using big data and artificial intelligence to help users make conscious and smart efforts to get fit and stay healthy.

From Switzerland, several companies previewed the latest in sports wear and tutorial technology for those looking to improve their hobbies and remain active.

Snowcookie demonstrated its connected sports platform designed to help skiers from advanced to beginner improve their game on the slopes. Snowcookies connect the users with their skis, tracking their technique and monitoring muscle fatigue, reducing the risk of injury and improving the skier's ability. The technology promises to use the skier's data to make suggestions about performance and prevent future injuries.

“Considering the Beijing Winter Olympics are coming in a few years, we want to offer those who want to learn to ski a product that tracks their movements and gives them feedback to improve in just two or three days.” a representative of the company said.

Alex Copland

Deep Cube, another Swiss startup is developing a personal microscope designed to identify skin cancer. The microscope will use big data and machine learning to match freckles and bumps on your skin with known types of skin maladies. Ideal for those with a history of skin cancer and those who'd like to save a trip to the doctor. This early screening device maybe help countless people prevent cancer.

Voxtech, out of Shenzhen, offer headphones that play through your skull rather than in your ear. Hearing loss prevention and comfort for physically active users is a top bill with “bone-penetration” headphones. These headphones do not use uncomfortable earbuds plugged into your ear. Rather, they are placed on the user's temple and the music will vibrate through your skull.

The added benefit to this style of headphone is its ability to stay on the user's head more comfortably while running or doing other exercises, with some brands offering waterproof models.

“When we hear the sound, sound waves enter the ear and strike the eardrum, it is then transformed from air vibration to physical vibration, and then communicated to the auditory organ.” said one company representative.

Fossil's new smart watches, made in collaboration with Kate Spade and Skagen were another draw at the show with a focus on fitness. The new watches promise better functionality with built in GPS and heart rate monitoring, along with connecting to the user's Google pay account.

The watches will be able to download apps that can map running routes while counting your steps for an improved workout. Heart rate monitoring and built in a pedometer, already a staple in most smartphones, are ideal for the physically active user.