Blood test: Fuseproject targets developing world

The product, Kernel, would contain bio-sensing pads to test patients’ blood, saliva, urine and breath. Data would then be sent for analysis to remote doctors via a smartphone app. At present, many people in the developing world live too far from qualified physicians to obtain regular advice on managing chronic conditions.

Much of the reaction to Kernel online has mocked the designers for assuming people in developing countries would be able to afford smartphones. But according to industry forecasters IDC, the smartphone market in Africa is set to double in volume by 2017. In any case, Fuseproject does not expect the sensing technology to be feasible for five or 10 years.

For more on the trends shaping consumer demand in developing economies, read our New Emerging Affluents macrotrend.