Everyone likes to be recognized for their hard work.  We at the Bluetooth SIG are no different. That’s why I was so happy to hear that the TechAmerica Foundation named the SIG one of four finalists in the annual American Technology Awards in the category of best health and medical technology, specifically for Bluetooth 4.0 and low energy technology.

This national organization will name the winner on June 13 at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Nominations for the American Technology Awards are vetted by industry experts and technology companies.

It’s fitting that we’re being recognized for health and medical technology. Bluetooth 4.0 will have an impact in many different markets, but health and medicine (which we usually call health and wellness) is one of the most promising new markets for Bluetooth technology.

Bluetooth 4.0 is in all Bluetooth Smart and Smart Ready devices. There are many new Bluetooth Smart devices coming to the health and wellness market, such as wireless heart-rate monitors, blood glucose monitors and weight scales. These Bluetooth Smart sensor devices will draw very little power and operate for months or years off tiny batteries, making them feasible for all sorts of health and medical uses where it would be impractical or impossible to use bulky batteries that need frequent recharging.

Many SIG members worked for years to make Bluetooth 4.0 and low energy technology a reality. I can hardly wait another month to find out if we’ll make it one step further when the winners are announced.

(Credit: Mike Foley)