Wearable Computers

What is Wearable Computer?

A wearable computer is a small computing device designed to be worn as an accessory on a user's body, for example, on the wrist.

Wearable computers can have specific uses, such as fitness trackers, or have a wide array of features, such as smartwatch with many "smart" functions similar to those found on a smartphone.

More advanced wearable computing devices allow users to read and respond to emails, send text messages, browse the web, view photo or video, and videw social media notifications.

Examples of Wearable Computers :

Smartwatches :

                                                                                                          

Modern smartwatches feature a local touchscreen interface for daily use. Software may include digital maps, calculators, personal organizers, different kinds of watch faces. The typically have WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity to pair with a smartphone and cooperate with a smartphone app to carry out certain functions.

Fitness Tracking Bands :

these deices are strapped around the wrist and have a screen showing vital fitness and health rate, the number of calories burned, and the total number of steps one has done in a day.

Smart glasses : 

                                                                                                  

Smart glasses, such as the one Google developed known as "Google Glass" have the potential to provide an augmented reality experience for users.

Smart Clothing (future of wearable computers) :-

smart clothing or smart garments is one more category of wearable computers that are gaining momentum. 

Here are explicit advantages of smart garments by contrast to other wearables:

• Flexibility
• Implemented Invisible Sensors.
• There Is no need for additional devices except clothing.
• A Large surface of the body for reading our data.

The first Wearable computer was invented by Steve Mann. In the late 1970s, Mann invented the "Digital Eye Glass"(EyeTap). The devices he assists with vision and causes the human eye to effectively become both an electronic camera and a television display.

In the video embedded below, Steve Mann, PhD, recognized as "the father of the wearable computer", talks about Wearable Computing and the Veillance Contract.

Current Trends Converging on Wearable Computing Devices :

Moving from wrist wearable computer

Maybe for now wristbands and smartwatches are the most popular items among wearable computers but another trend looms on the horizon In the long term. Embedding Sensors In daily things is the success factor for wearables. A study by Forrester showed that akmost 30% of respondents want to wear devices clipped on clothing and 15% would like it embedded. The last thing is not very common yet, but potential are ready for them.

Wearable computer for fitness and healthy lifestyle is growing in popularity  

People involved in sports and tracking their health are the most common consumers of wearables Reading such types of data as ECG, EMG, temperature, breath characteristics, pace, speed, sleeping patterns, etc and analyzing them is extremely important for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Services and applications for fitness and health generate high profits as wearables are not only for consumers but also for healthcare systems and businesses that want to monitor activity and provide recommendations for patients and employees.

  

Advantages Of Wearable Computers :

Staying Connected 

Wearables can alert you of messages, incoming calls, emails, and much more without having to constantly be checking your phone. It can help you locate your phone when it is lost, or even connect to loT enables devices in your home (such as switching on the lights or controlling the a/c temperature). The possibilities for increased convenience and connectivity with wearables are endless.

Data Accuracy 

Wearables enable convenient tracking of your data, health, and exercise habits for your overall well-being. This is bound to result in a healthier you, but many health insurance companies are also starting to offer added benefits for those who wear fitness trackers and health monitors. Moreover, employees with higher-risk roles, such as firefighters, mining, oil & gas employees, and others are now able to wear devices that can detect oncoming dangers, such as heart attacks or fails, and immediately send this data to an outside manager or technical specialist for assistance. 

Efficiency

Wearable are set to make our lives safer and more efficient. for example-staff in packaging warehouse can now wear wearables that will assist in streamlining their packaging duties and tracking goods that are being transported, or wear GPS tags that can automatically tell them the most efficient route. Or,imagine that pacemakers, detectors, and other medical wearable devices can simply be connected through the internet to alter proper response teams when an accident or something dangerous has occurred.  

Disadvantages of wearable Computers :

Price

Wearables may seem cool to most, but the majority of studies are showing that consumers, for the most part, still find wearable technology to be too expensive. From Rs. 26,092.57 for the Apple Watch Rs.18,616.19 for a pair of wireless earbuds, Rs 22,423.82 for a connected shirt, bracelet...and so on, indeed the cost of purchasing wearable technology seems to be more of a luxury rather than a necessity (for now)

Battery

                                             

Nothing is more frustrating than heading out for your jog and..oops! you forgot to charge your smartwatch or your earbuds. Battery life is a critical issue when it comes to wearables hitting the mass markets because the majority of wearable batteries do not last a sufficient amount of time, and still need to be charged on an almost near-daily basis. It is also one of the most frustrating aspects for wearable developers because battery life does not develop at the same rate as other technologies. Remembering to charge your smartphone every day is a hassle as it is...now try remember to charge everything else as well!

Charging Mechanism 

Wearable tech is getting smaller and more complex...and so are the charging mechanism. As such, consumers simply cannot be expected to fiddle with tiny gadgets and multiple cords if they are to wholly integrate wearables into their everyday lives. Think about how complicated it is for an elderly person to fiddle with a hearing aid on a daily basis, or for a professional runner to plug in multiple pieces of tiny wearables sensors-each into its own charger.

Luckily, Humavox's NEST wireless charging station eliminates the hassles of constantly having to plug in your wearables by enabling a simple drop and charge experience.

                                       

At Humavox, we have created a new way for RF wireless charging that allows designers to customize, adjust, and incorporate wireless charging into nearly any shape and size. By letting users simply drop their device into a charging station, we are blending wireless power into each and every type of different wearable for nay type of environment.

Writer: Mr. Krishan Kumar Saini 

Today we have learnt Basics about Wearable Computers. Hope this lesson is helpful for you.