CES 2022: New Covid-fighting gadgets like battery-powered face masks, antiviral monitors

Covid-detecting breathalysers and hi-tech masks are just some of the new inventions unveiled at CES in Las Vegas. SEE THE LIST.

Alexander Mordvinoff demonstrates the AIRXOM mask for active protection from the effects of air pollution, bacteria, and viruses including Covid-19 during CES 2022. Picture: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP

A new wave of Covid-19 infections decimated attendance at the world’s biggest technology show this week but, perhaps ironically, there were plenty of virus-busting gadgets inside.

From Covid-detecting breathalysers to hi-tech masks, health technology became a major trend at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2022 and saw more than 100 health firms defy cancellations to show off their innovations.

The trend came as Gartner predicted an 18 per cent jump worldwide for spending on wearable gadgets, and an increasingly blurry line between health-tracking smartwatches and medical devices.

“Capabilities that would once have been limited to expensive, benchtop medical devices will now be available to consumers remotely and more cost effectively; revolutionising their ability to track, monitor and better understand their day-to-day health and wellness,” said Rockley Photonics chief executive officer Dr Andrew Rickman.

This breath analyser from OPTEEV promises to detect Covid-19. Picture: AFP

And detecting, monitoring and preventing Covid-19 infections was top of the wish list at CES.

One of the most promising inventions on show was a breath analyser from OPTEEV called ViraWarn.

The handheld device promised to detect the presence of any Covid-19 variants in a users’ breath, with results delivered in five seconds.

The company said its initial testing had been verified by the US National Institutes of Health, though it was still pending approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. The device will sell for $US359 ($A501).

Other Covid-busting inventions in Las Vegas focused on upgrading face masks.

The AIRXOM, for example, is a stiff-sided, battery-powered mask that promises to filter and destroy viruses, bacteria or pollution entering the mask, with tests showing 99.4 per cent of Covid-19 virus particles could be eliminated. The French creation, which is sizeable, promises to go on sale later this month.

Franck Glaizal, chief executive officer and co-founder, demonstrates the AIRXOM mask for active protection from the effects of air pollution, bacteria, and viruses including Covid-19 during CES. Picture: AFP

Air-Clenz showed off an even more unique take on limiting Covid-19 infections in the workplace, with a computer monitor designed to capture and eliminate “cough droplets and aerosols” breathed on it by users.

The US company is seeking to licence its creation to monitor and laptop manufacturers.

French biomedical firm Grapheal also revealed a Covid-19 rapid test called TestNPass that works with smartphones and, following its result, can be used as an RFID chip to prove when you tested positive or negative. The creation won the company a CES Innovation Award.

The Grapheal TestNpass digital biosensor test strip, made with Graphene for Covid-19 antigen testing featuring an encrypted RFID tag for a biometric health pass. Picture: AFP

And, in a more basic but useful development, Baracoda Daily Healthtech launched a digital thermometer at CES that doesn’t require batteries.

The BCool device only requires users to shake it a few times to power its supercapacitor and the temperatures it records can be transferred to a smartphone as a record.