[IDF] Portable Fitness Computers

The events of the so-called "day zero" of the IDF once again showed that Intel is trying to tap new markets. The medical technology sector seems to be an especially attractive source of potential income to the chipmaker. To this end, Intel introduced the "Mobile Sensing Platform" that can be used in a variety of devices. One possible application could be portable fitness devices that determine prominent bio-markers with the help of sensors and could offer an analysis of a person’s day’s form, level of fitness or general physical information. Devices for use in telemedicine are also feasible, communicating a doctor’s office or hospital through a DSL or cable Internet connection. In the opinion of Intel’s Andrew Chien, sufficiently refined devices and a widespread distribution could help reduce the costs of the health care system immensely. Small and portable devices the size of an UMPC could constantly monitor important bio signals and offer information during sports activities. One example of such an application is the UbiFit. However, Intel so far has no experience in this market, although the chipmaker has entered into cooperation with the German Asklepios-clinics.

Compared to the familiar and established revenue sectors, one thing is certain : Emerging and growing markets such as the medical technology sector are very attractive to Intel, since the competition is much less fierce than in the PC market. The cutthroat competition with AMD over the past few years has resulted in a historical low of per-unit margins. Meanwhile, the growth rates in the healthcare sector look to be promising for years to come. The math behind that calculation is simple. If only one percent of all hospitals worldwide adopted these new healthcare computers, this would still be a huge sum.