In recent years, wearable technology has rapidly evolved, transforming into advanced devices that can monitor vital signs, offer immediate feedback and enhance user experiences. The disruptive capacity of wearables resides in their seamless integration into everyday life, enabling the collection and analysis of data to inform decision-making and actions. The worldwide market for wearable technology was valued at $61.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 14.6% from 2023 to 2030, according to a Grand View Research report.
The origin of wearables may be traced back to early fitness trackers; however, current improvements have significantly broadened their functionalities. Wearables have rapidly become a major trend, effortlessly integrating technology into our daily routines. These devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, have gained popularity because they are convenient and portable and can deliver real-time data. Smartwatches, for example, currently function as versatile devices, providing capabilities for monitoring health, facilitating communication and enabling mobile payments.
Fitness and healthcare
The advent of wearables, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, has fundamentally transformed our attitude toward health and fitness. These devices monitor heart rate, track physical activity, assess sleep patterns and offer real-time feedback. This data empowers users to make informed decisions about their health, leading to improved lifestyles and preventive care.
Wearable health technology, combined with electronic health records, can provide more accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations. By incorporating health applications, users can establish exercise objectives, obtain tailored observations and make well-informed choices regarding their overall health. Fitness trackers have become ubiquitous, motivating individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Baracoda, a company pioneering daily health tech, has introduced the world’s first health tracker that, exploiting energy-harvesting techniques, can be powered entirely by the user. Provided with an “endless” micro battery with a capacity of 1 mAh, BHeart can be discreetly fitted into bracelets and watch bands that are compatible with any traditional wristwatch.
The wearable device (Figure 1) uses Baracoda’s proprietary BMotion energy-harvesting technology to fully recharge itself through the utilization of motion, body heat and ambient light. BHeart can accumulate enough energy to operate a variety of sensors that transmit health data to a smartphone application compatible with iOS or Android smartphones.
BHeart is designed to be discreetly worn either as a screenless watch band for an already-existing timepiece or as a bracelet. Although it appears simple, its ingenious form conceals intricate sensors and advanced energy-harvesting technologies. Baracoda’s AIoT platform converts data from various health sensors into practical information regarding the user’s physical vitality, health condition, cognitive endurance, degree of physical activity and quality of sleep.
Figure 1: Baracoda’s BHeart does not need any power supply, charging itself by using solar energy and body heat. (Source: Baracoda)
Wearables are also increasingly being employed in the medical field. Continuous glucose monitors, intelligent inhalers and remote patient-monitoring devices enable healthcare professionals to gather real-time data, enhance diagnostics and provide personalized patient therapy. Wearable devices are crucial in clinical trials and research projects.
In this area, biowearables are gaining momentum. Biowearables are a category of wearable technology that may penetrate the skin to analyze biomarkers including ketones, glucose and lactate. By collecting and analyzing this data, biowearables provide valuable information and recommendations to make informed decisions for maintaining good health.
Abbott has declared its intention to create a novel classification of consumer biowearables known as Lingo. The sensor technology is being developed to monitor critical physiological indicators in the body. In the future, it may also have the potential to monitor alcohol levels.
Lingo biowearables consist of two main components: the biosensor and a smartphone app. The biosensor records and quantifies data. This data is retrieved information from interstitial fluid, located in the extracellular space, using a minuscule and flexible filament that is placed painlessly beneath the surface of the skin. This filament has a width equivalent to three human hairs. The data is then transmitted to a smartphone app using Bluetooth, where the information derived from those biomarkers is converted into practical insights.
Abbott initially developed the FreeStyle Libre portfolio (Figure 2) to assist individuals with diabetes in monitoring their glucose levels without the need for finger pricks.
Figure 2: FreeStyle Libre portfolio, a glucose-monitoring device, was one of Abbott’s first Lingo biowearables. (Source: Abbott)
Fashion and textile
The integration of technology and fashion has resulted in the development of smart clothing, which incorporates sensors and actuators into the fabric. This encompasses intelligent shirts that track essential physiological indicators, footwear that assesses walking patterns and even intelligent socks designed for individuals with diabetes. These advancements serve to connect the divide between design and practicality, providing a glimpse into the forthcoming era of smart clothing.
Nextiles Inc. is a pioneering company in the field of materials science, combining flexible electronics and soft products to develop a data analytics platform that quantifies human performance. The company uses unique stitching technology that is fabric-based to measure and analyze a variety of factors, such as raw forces, range of motion, micromovements and other related data. Nextiles is reportedly the sole company in the field of athletics that can offer real-time analysis of Newtonian force and 3D motion capture using compression gear.
For example, Nextiles’ arm and knee sleeve product consists of sensors; the fabric material, such as polyester; and an electronic unit (CPU) that contains a battery and manages the communication between the sensor and the receiving device, typically a smartphone. The CPU is equipped with an inertial measurement unit and on-board sensors commonly found in wearable devices. Unlike most wearables, the CPU can be detached from the sensors and positioned on the body in a way that is both comfortable and convenient. The CPU may be easily removed to wash and dry the garment.
Productivity enhancement
Wearable devices are progressively being used to enhance efficiency in professional environments. Smartwatches offer users the ability to receive notifications and reminders as well as to access their email. On the other hand, smart gloves provide a convenient way for workers in fields like logistics, maintenance and healthcare to access information with minimal use of their hands.
One example is the ProGlove smart wearable barcode scanner, a hands-free scanning system that is designed for ergonomics, enabling operators to enhance their productivity and streamline their operations. Unlike traditional portable scanners, ProGlove’s wearable barcode scanners are seamlessly incorporated into the back of a work glove (Figure 3). These scanners have a compact and lightweight design, allowing operators to perform tasks more efficiently and accurately, resulting in improved overall process optimization.
Figure 3: ProGlove’s wearable barcode scanner (Source: ProGlove)
The future of wearables presents promising prospects, with AI enhancements, higher energy efficiency and the emergence of innovative applications, such as in the field of neurotechnology, where brain-computer interfaces have the potential to allow individuals to manipulate gadgets using their cognitive processes, thereby expanding the realm of communication, accessibility and improved command over digital settings.
Future wearable devices are also expected to integrate sophisticated environmental and contextual sensors. This includes devices capable of evaluating air quality, temperature and other environmental variables to offer users tailored insights and recommendations based on their immediate environment.
In addition, the convergence of augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality is set to establish a highly immersive and interconnected digital experience. Wearable devices that smoothly shift between the physical and digital realms will have a major impact on the advancement of extended reality.
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