Wearable technology, also recognized as “wearables,” is a class of electronic devices that can be worn as accessories, set in clothing, implanted in the user’s body, or even tattooed on the skin.
The machines are hands-free gadgets with practical uses, powered by microprocessors and enhanced to transmit and receive data through the Internet.
The fast adoption of such devices has placed wearable technology at the forefront of the Internet of things (IoT). As a result, wearable technology is evolving into an essential category of the IoT Internet of Things, with life-changing importance in medicine and other fields. Also recognized as wearables, the maturity of high-speed data transfer, mobile networks, and miniaturized microprocessors have facilitated the development of this technology.
These technologies may be carried, embedded in fabric or accessories, or tattooed straight onto the skin.
Working of Wearable Technology
Wearable technology can be said to have survived since eyeglasses were first revealed in the 13th century. Likewise, timepieces small enough to be worn have been throughout since about 1500. But intelligent wearable technology is defined as consolidating a microprocessor and an internet link.
The majority of mobile networks allowed the advancement of wearable technology. Fitness activity trackers were the big premier surge of wearable technology to get on with buyers. Then, the wristwatch grew into a screen, and more robust mobile applications were calculated. Bluetooth headsets, web-enabled glasses, and smartwatches all allow people to receive data from Wi-Fi networks. The gaming industry joins more wearables with augmented reality and virtual reality headsets.
Applications of Wearable Technology
There must be some flops, too, distinctly Google Glass. The Internet-connected eyeglasses may yet re-emerge for specific uses, but they did not give it a chic accessory.
The focus of developing wearable technology now appears to be moving from consumer accessories to more specialized and practical applications. For example, microchip implants are now being accepted to restore keys and passwords. The chips are embedded in a fingertip and utilize near-field communication (NFC) or radio-frequency identification (RFID), similar to the chips used to track lost pets. In summation, the U.S. military is contemplating using RFID chips to keep track of its troops worldwide.
The incredibly life-altering applications in wearable technology, nevertheless, can be located in medical devices. For instance, Cyrcadia Health has formed iTBra, an intelligent spot that can recognize early signs of breast cancer and communicate the information to a lab for interpretation.
Examples of Wearable Technology
The preceding few years have seen accelerated development and the initiation of wearable technology products adapted for medical and healthcare uses. These include:
- Smart tattoos that carry flexible electronic sensors are produced to watch sleep disorders, heart and brain activity, and muscle function. While these are short, even inks are being investigated!
- A smartwatch for souls with Parkinson’s disease follows symptoms and transmits the data to receive personalized treatment plans.
- Child monitoring devices implemented with GPS are obtainable from many businesses for as little as $25.
- Fitness trackers: Whether you’re exercising for a marathon or are just seeking to be more productive, these things can assist you in getting a better understanding of your everyday activity. They can trace the number of footsteps you take, your mediocre heart rate, how deep you sleep, and more. This data can then be synced with different devices, allowing you to see trends and designs in your activity.
- Smartwatches: If you own a smartphone, you’re probably able to get various notifications, like text messages, emails, and phone calls. But if you don’t like staring at your phone during the day, a smartwatch may be ready to help. These designs can be synced with your smartphone, which enables you to see notifications on your wrist at a glimpse. Most smartwatches can also be applied as simple fitness trackers, but they’re a lot more expensive.
- Safety wearables: Safety wearables are designed to help you in situations where you feel threatened or in danger. They’re sometimes disguised as jewelry to be used discreetly without letting a potential attacker know what the user is doing. Most are operated by a button that alerts others, sounds a loud alarm, or both.
- In Louisville, Kentucky, wearable devices made by AIR Louisville are being used to measure pollutants, monitor local air quality, and recognize hotspots for residents with respiratory problems.
- Cyrcadia Health has developed iTBra, an intelligent patch that can detect early signs of breast cancer and transmit the information to a lab for analysis.
- Wearable medical alert monitors are extending greater mobility and independence to the elderly and impaired.
Pros of Wearable Technology
Wearable technology allows us to observe our fitness levels, follow our location with GPS, and see text messages more promptly. Best of all, most of the tools that enable us to do this are hands-free and compact, reducing the requirement to take our devices out of our pouches.
Before wearables, it was reasonable to get a lot of the knowledge listed before, but it was sometimes a hassle and required devices that weren’t always comfortable. Wearables are attached to our smart devices, transmitting this information to them and allowing us to view it at later times, as well as in the moment. Thus, it can help you with setting goals and tracking your progress toward them.
Cons of Wearable Technology
Wearables tend to have a pretty short battery life. Some tools, like the simpler Fitbit trackers, can continue for many days. But some of the other advanced wearables, like the Apple Watch, will only last for a day or so. So for some, it can be a nuisance to remember to switch your wearable to charge it constantly. Because of this, various developers are looking into the possibility of wireless charging options that would eliminate the need to remove the device.
Some wearables have been reported to measure data on occasion. However, it can be hazardous when measuring data like heart rates. For individuals with heart conditions, this false reading could lead to overexertion and further health issues.
Wrap Up
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether a wearable device is something you would benefit from. However, with their increase in popularity, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before committing to one.