Wearable technology is all the rage, and as the name suggests it is a techie device that is worn and used to track and gather information.
But what is it really? Is it shoe? Is it a computer? Is it a computer-shoe? How does one possibly reconcile technology gadgets with fashion wear? That’s like suggesting Hewlett-Packard and Prada go together like peanut butter and jelly, which clearly they do not…or do they?
The beauty of innovation is that it can take us where we have never been and we could not imagine, and this is the case with wearable technology. Essentially, wearable technology also referred to as wearables is futuristic fashion ware that has been brought to the present by a rapidly progressive technology industry.
It is an electronic piece of equipment that can be worn such as glasses, watches, headbands, caps, bracelets, and even footwear, but it is also a sophisticated computer that communicates and can carry information to and from a network. Wearables are typically items that can be worn comfortably just like ordinary items and accessories, but carries the function of performing (or outperforming) the same computing tasks of laptops and mobiles.
Furthermore, wearables incorporate pioneering sensory and scanning features such as biofeedback and tracking of physiological function, making your new computer-shoe a practical and revolutionary must have.
If you are like most people, you might think this sound like a sci-fi film, but wearable technology is a fast growing market with expanding popularity. At the same time its also getting affordable to many economical gadget.
Here are ten industries where wearable technology will become common, if not already the norm:
Healthcare And Medicine
This field is perhaps how wearable technology could potentially have the most impact. Wearable technology allows busy medical professionals to better care for and monitor their patients. Doctors could use them as references to check patients’ medical histories while examining them, in order to better diagnose and monitor them.
Care providers could be notified instantly of any changes in condition, facilitating faster responses. One such example is the wearable thermometer, which actually primarily targets parents. A Bluetooth-enabled thermometer records temperature every 10 seconds for up to 24 hours and can alert your phone when it spikes. This data can then be sent directly a doctor or clinician. You can also take notes about eating, sleeping or medication the child is given.
Law Enforcement
Wearables are already tracking military personnel and providing information about an individual’s location and even their physical health, giving command data to make informed decisions Worn as easy as easy as a wristwatch they make it significantly easier for injured or lost personnel to contact a medic or be rescued. A combination of cameras and sensors packaged in a wristwatch would give these workers instant information about their surroundings. Use of such technology could literally be a lifesaver.
Advertising
Increased interest in wearables has provided a huge opportunity for advertisers. Every new screen presents a chance to experiment with new advertising techniques. Once these new ideas are put in place, advertisers can monitor their effectiveness in “real-time” using their own wearable devices. Wearables also serve as a means of seeing how well the advertisements integrate into the user experiences.
Retail
In warehouses and shops, wearable devices are being used to simplify filling orders and restocking. As a result, wearables increase the overall efficiency of a retail organization and eliminate redundancy. They take the place of manually checking lists and counting inventory by completing these tasks for the employee.
This simplified system also permits employers to track employee performance and update task lists throughout the day. Wearables bangles and bracelets report data to the user, thus enabling them to increase customer service response time to address public concerns or accolades.
Event Management
Event planners can use wearables for each step of the planning and event management process. Guest lists, RSVPs, seating charts, and schedules can all be created and updated on wearable technology. Arguably the biggest enhancement wearables provide is the ability to simulate 3D spaces. Different organizational set-ups can be tested to optimize crowd flow, access to vendors, and use of space.
Insurance
Insurance providers can use wearable technology to calculate insurance rates while conducting a risk assessment of the insured. Wearables would also give insurers with information that could be used to weed out fraudulent claims.
Specifically, this industry relies on fitness trackers to access health risks for potential covered individuals. These wearable devices monitor breathing, heart rate, calorie intake, sleep, hydration, and even pain management.
Construction And Maintenance
Essentially wearable technology would provide repair workers with hands-free information on their tasks. It gives them access to diagrams, instructions, and notes. It also can be used to better analyze problems as a reference resource or by simulating the particulars of a case.
Entertainment
As with advertising, wearables generate enormous space for innovative and creative entertainment. Perhaps the most exciting use of wearable technology is in visual entertainment where it can be used to create immersive experiences for viewers and gamers. Content creators can also use wearable technology to remain in close contact with their fan base, providing updates on products to a more engaged audience.
Sports And Fitness
For athletes involved in impact sports, Reebok distributes a sensor device which can be worn under a helmet and alert hockey or football coaches with a series of lights when a player’s head has suffered an impact that might be associated with a concussion. There are already several smart watches and activity trackers on the market such as Fitbit that records how many steps you take throughout the day, monitoring your heart rate, and calculating the calories you burn to help you reach fitness goals.
Education
Both teachers and students can benefit from the use of wearables. In the classroom, teachers can use them to record video, plan lessons, and for student activities. Wearables can make grading easier and help ensure academic honesty (open grade books lying on the teacher’s desk are so tempting!).
Takeaway
As one can see, this craze is far reaching and appeals not only to a niche field but also to the everyday consumer. Because a potential use in various industries continues to grow, companies are committed to manufacturing accessories and other wearables that can do everything from charge your smartphone to monitor your heart rate. And for the fashionistas out there, designers are working to create stylish wearables that are trendy without sacrificing the efficiency.