A key milestone on our commercial journey was reached today with the announcement of a partnership between WearOptimo and Aspen Medical.

WearOptimo is now engaged with Aspen Medical for the development and distribution of particular Microwearable sensors in key markets.

Aspen Medical is a global provider of innovative and tailored healthcare solutions and has extensive connections to mining, resource and energy sectors where hydration monitoring of workers is of paramount importance.

By 2030, millions of global working hours will be lost due to heat stress and dehydration, and countless lives at risk. “With higher global temperatures, the Asia-Pacific region especially will experience serious productivity losses from workers who become dehydrated. The elderly and sick are also at heightened risk. The healthcare costs of dehydration run into many billions of dollars. By providing individuals with a measure of their own hydration, action can be taken immediately, before performance is impaired or health is risked,” WearOptimo founder and CEO Professor Mark Kendall said.

“Microwearable sensors are designed to access patient’s vital signs, in situations where time really matters. In the case of a heart attack, early warning is the difference between life and death. The plan is to manufacture within Australia, creating local jobs, and export globally with the help of Aspen Medical,” Professor Kendall said.

Aspen Medical Founder and Executive Chairman Glenn Keys AO said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with WearOptimo and excited about the potential for Microwearable devices across the resources, aged care and defence sectors, where heat stress awareness is an ongoing concern”.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said, “As we look to rebuild Australia after the COVID-19 pandemic, we need sovereign capability to drive innovation in manufacturing, including in med-tech. This partnership between WearOptimo and Aspen Medical will do just that. It will see two Australian-based companies playing a leading global role in the future of health, while improving the lives of millions of Australians and people all over the globe. The tech may be micro, but the impact will be huge.”