While innovation can happen at companies of any size, sometimes it takes a certain scale to get things done. In areas such as autonomous driving and the graphics technology required to represent people more accurately, solutions only come by throwing a whole lot of resources at the problem. These companies stood out not just for their tech innovations, but the scale required to make those innovations happen.
Abbott
For taking glucose monitoring over the counter
While continuous glucose monitors have traditionally served patients with diabetes, Abbott’s Lingo sensor is available for anyone who wants to learn more about their bodies. The $49 stick-on patch connects to a mobile app, which encourages users to minimize the glucose spikes that can hinder their sleep and mood, for instance by improving their diet. It’s a view into wellness that other fitness-tracking gadgets are missing.
Electronic Arts
For tackling video gaming’s hairiest problem
Realistic video game hair may seem like a trivial matter, but it’s long been a barrier to making games more inclusive. Electronic Arts’ strand hair technology aims to solve the problem, with new rendering techniques that better allow for curly hair, afros, braids, dreadlocks, and hair ties. While EA first introduced the technology for sports titles a few years ago, it’s now expanding to other types of games such as Dragon Age: The Veilguard, where players can create their own characters—and whatever hair they want to go with them.
Waymo
For opening driverless rides to everyone
You’re no longer a beta tester when you step into one of Waymo’s robotaxis in San Francisco and Phoenix, where the Alphabet subsidiary has ditched waitlists and opened up 24/7 driverless rides. In Los Angeles the service covers 49 miles—still with a waitlist—and it’s partnering with Uber to offer limited rides in Austin. Waymo isn’t slowing down, either: The company just raised another $5.6 billion to fuel further expansion.
The companies behind these technologies are among the honorees in Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech awards for 2024. See a full list of all the winners across all categories and read more about the methodology behind the selection process.
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