What is wearable technology?
Electronic devices known as “wearable technology” or “wearables” may be implanted in the wearer’s body, worn as an accessory, or tattooed on the skin. These are useful, hands-free gadgets with microprocessors supplemented with Internet-based data transmission and reception capabilities.
Wearable technology is leading the Internet of Things (IoT) due to the quick uptake of these gadgets.
How Wearable Technology Works
Wearable technology has existed since the invention of spectacles in the thirteenth century. Wearable timepieces have existed since around 1500. On the other hand, a microprocessor and an internet connection are requirements for current wearable technology.
The expansion of mobile networks made wearable technology development possible. The first significant wave of wearable technology to gain traction with consumers was fitness activity trackers. Later, additional feature-rich mobile apps were introduced, and the wristwatch evolved into a screen. Users of web-enabled glasses, smartwatches, and Bluetooth headsets can access Wi-Fi networks. Virtual reality and augmented reality headsets are among the wearables that the game industry is adding.
Sophisticated and Useful Applications
Notable among the failures are those like Google Glass. Internet-connected glasses may resurface for specific purposes, but they most definitely failed to become a fashion item.
Consumer accessories are no longer the main focus of wearable technology development but rather more specialized and valuable applications. Passwords and keys are increasingly being replaced with microchip implants. Similar to the chips used to monitor missing pets, the chips are embedded in a fingertip and operate on radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near-field communication (NFC).
However, medical gadgets are where wearable technology makes a difference in people’s lives.
Cyrcadia Health developed the Cyrcadia Breast Monitor, an intelligent patch that can spot early signs of breast cancer and send the data to a lab for analysis.
Wearable Technology Examples
Wearable technology devices designed for medical and healthcare applications have been developed and introduced quickly in the last few years. These consist of:
- Wearable technology manufactured by AIR Louisville is being utilized in Louisville, Kentucky, to detect pollutants, keep an eye on the quality of the local air, and pinpoint hotspots for respiratory issues.
- Cyrcadia Health developed the Cyrcadia Breast Monitor, an intelligent patch that can spot early signs of breast cancer and send the data to a lab for analysis.
- Wearable medical alert monitors are giving more mobility and freedom to the elderly and disabled.
- Bright tattoos incorporating flexible electronic sensors are being developed to monitor heart and brain activity, sleep issues, and muscular function. Even inks are being investigated. However, these are just temporary!
- People with Parkinson’s disease may monitor their symptoms using a smartwatch and send in the data for more individualized treatment strategies.
Conclusion
- With potentially game-changing uses in healthcare and other industries, wearable technology is growing into a significant subset of the Internet of Things.
- Expanding mobile networks, tiny microprocessors, and high-speed data transport have all contributed to the development of wearable technology.
- These technologies may be applied topically as tattoos, worn, or integrated into clothing or accessories.
