In the face of global healthcare staffing shortages and rising cost pressures, hospitals and care facilities are turning to automation and AI-powered technologies. smedo, a healthtech startup based in Germany, introduces a disruptive contactless vital sign monitoring system that aims to revolutionize patient care and hospital efficiency. Their radar-based sensor system captures accurate, real-time physiological data without touching the patient — transforming both clinical outcomes and operational workflows.
Market Demand for Automation in Vital Sign Monitoring
The traditional approach to vital sign monitoring is manual, intermittent, and labor-intensive. Nursing staff are often limited to collecting data three times a day, leaving significant gaps in patient records and creating risks due to delayed responses to health deterioration. Additionally, the financial burden and human resource constraints are pressing issues for hospitals and assisted living facilities globally.
smedo addresses this unmet need by offering a fully automated, contactless solution that minimizes nurse intervention and maximizes monitoring accuracy. With an aging global population and rising prevalence of chronic diseases, the market is primed for such innovations. The company estimates a Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) of $250M per year within hospitals and elderly care facilities, with an even broader TAM of $80B.
AI-Powered Vital Sign Monitoring Technology
smedo’s proprietary technology uses high-frequency radar to measure micro skin vibrations that reflect heartbeat and respiratory activity. The system operates effectively through fabric, in darkness, and from a distance of up to 7 meters, achieving an accuracy rate of 98% compared to hospital-grade ECGs. A deep learning model embedded on-device enables real-time analysis and automated documentation, which is directly integrated into hospital systems (FHIR, HL7).
Key features include:
- Contactless and continuous 24/7 monitoring
- Automated documentation and alerting
- API connectivity with hospital and care facility infrastructure
- AI-based early detection of health anomalies
Expanding Use Cases Beyond Hospitals
smedo’s radar technology is versatile and scalable. Beyond hospitals and elder care, the company envisions applications in:
- Infant care (e.g., SIDS prevention)
- Home care and telemedicine
- Sports performance and injury prevention
- Vehicle safety (monitoring driver health)
- Workplace safety in hazardous environments
These future expansions align with a growing trend toward health monitoring across various lifestyle and occupational contexts.
Business Model and Revenue Strategy
smedo employs a B2B rental model with a planned price of $100 per bed/month. This approach offers healthcare providers a cost-effective alternative to traditional monitoring methods, with projected annual savings of $360 per bed.
Two significant upselling opportunities include:
- SaaS-Based Predictive Analytics: AI-driven pre-diagnostics with potential revenues of up to $150M/year.
- Functional Extension: Adding blood pressure monitoring, which could double the device rental fee per customer.
Traction, Funding, and Go-to-Market Plans
The company has already secured relevant equity funding and grants. European market entry planned for 2026, followed by North America in 2027. smedo’s initial focus on hospitals and elderly care facilities in Europe is supported by strong industry relationships and high insurance adoption rates. The company plans to expand globally through strategic partnerships and product certifications (FDA, MDR).
