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What Is Wearable Technology?
Wearable technology is known as wearables, and is a category of electronic devices worn as accessories, embedded in clothing, and even tattooed on skin. Wearables incorporate microprocessors and internet connectivity. They’ve evolved from items like eyeglasses and wristwatches to advanced devices like fitness trackers and virtual reality headsets. They have significant applications in various fields, particularly in medicine. Noteworthy examples include Google Glass, microchip implants, and medical monitoring and other healthcare devices.
Key Takeaways
- Wearable technology includes devices worn as accessories or embedded in clothing, with practical, hands-free uses.
- Modern wearables incorporate microprocessors and internet connections for data transmission and usability.
- The focus of wearables has shifted from consumer accessories to specialized applications, particularly in healthcare.
- Medical wearables, such as fitness trackers and smart tattoos, offer life-changing applications by monitoring health conditions and vital signs.
- Technology like the Cyrcadia Breast Monitor demonstrates the potential of wearables to aid in early disease detection.
Understanding the Functionality of Wearable Technology
Wearable technology dates back to the 13th century with the invention of eyeglasses. Wearable timepieces have been around since about 1500. Modern wearables include a microprocessor and an internet connection.
Mobile network growth spurred the development of wearable technology. Fitness trackers were the first major wave of wearables to gain popularity. Wristwatches evolved into screens with enhanced mobile applications. Bluetooth headsets, smartwatches, and web-enabled glasses receive data via Wi-Fi. The gaming industry adds more wearables, with virtual reality and augmented reality headsets.
Exploring Practical Applications of Wearable Technology
There have been some flops, too, notably Google Glass. The Internet-connected eyeglasses may yet re-emerge for specialized uses but they most definitely did not make it as a fashion accessory.
The focus in the development of wearable technology now appears to be moving from consumer accessories to more specialized and practical applications. Microchip implants are now being used to replace keys and passwords. Embedded in a fingertip, the chips use near-field communication (NFC) or radio-frequency identification (RFID) and are similar to the chips used to track lost pets.
The real life-altering applications in wearable technology, however, can be found in medical devices.
Important
Cyrcadia Health has developed Cyrcadia Breast Monitor, an intelligent patch that can detect early signs of breast cancer and transmit the information to a lab for analysis.
Real-World Examples of Wearables in Action
The past few years have seen rapid development and introduction of wearable technology products adapted for medical and healthcare uses. These include:
- In Louisville, Kentucky, wearable devices made by AIR Louisville are being used to monitor local air quality, measure pollutants, and identify hotspots for residents with respiratory problems.
- Cyrcadia Health has developed Cyrcadia Breast Monitor, 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.
- Smart tattoos that contain flexible electronic sensors are being developed to monitor heart and brain activity, sleep disorders, and muscle function. While these are temporary, even inks are being explored!
- A smartwatch for people with Parkinson’s disease tracks symptoms and transmits the data so that more personalized treatment plans can be developed.
The Bottom Line
Wearable technology is an evolving segment of the Internet of Things (IoT) and has expanding applications in various fields. Miniaturized processors and internet connectivity are key to its advance. Over time, its focus has shifted from consumer accessories to practical applications, especially in healthcare, that include medical devices that offer significant life-altering potential.
Examples of innovative wearables include the Cyrcadia Health’s Breast Monitor and AIR Louisville’s devices. Advances in mobile networks and data transfer rates are paving the way for wearable tech inroads in other sectors.
