Wearable Technology: Comprehensive Guide to the Future of Wearables

Wearable Technology, also known as wearables are one of the most trending electronic gadgets owned by humans. These gadgets, tied up on your wrists, can tell you about your physical health, calorie intake, heartbeat per second, mobile phone notifications, and many more exciting things. 

The current wearable technology has become increasingly essential for the success of a wide range of businesses. It has become increasingly popular in recent years, as people become more interested in tracking their health and fitness data. It is expected to grow in popularity as new devices are developed and existing devices become more advanced.

If you are willing to gain a deeper understanding of this field you can pursue a B.Tech Program in Electronics and Communication. This can help you learn about the top new technology trends and build a promising career in this field. 

Why choose B.tech?

Here are some of the reasons why you should choose B.tech to pursue your career- 

•  A B.Tech degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities in various fields such as engineering, technology, research, development, and management.
• With the advancement of technology, the demand for skilled professionals in the field of engineering and technology has increased significantly.
•  B.Tech programs offer students the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology and innovative projects. This can be a great way to gain practical knowledge and skills that can be applied in the real world.
• B.Tech graduates can work in various industries and countries around the world, providing them with a global perspective and international experience.

What is wearable technology? 

Wearable technology refers to electronic devices or accessories that you can wear on your body, like smartwatches, fitness trackers, or smart clothing. These devices have sensors and software that can monitor different aspects of your health, activity, and well-being. Wearable technology has become popular because it helps people track their progress towards fitness goals, and it can help them stay connected and productive while on the go.

How does wearable technology work? 

Wearable technology refers to electronic devices that are designed to be worn on the body, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and augmented reality glasses. These devices typically contain sensors, processors, and wireless communication capabilities, and they are powered by batteries or other energy sources.

The sensors in wearable technology collect data about the wearer's body, environment, or both. For example, a fitness tracker may have an accelerometer and a heart rate monitor that track the wearer's physical activity and vital signs, respectively. A smartwatch may have sensors that detect the wearer's location, movement, and even the direction they are facing. Augmented reality glasses may have cameras and sensors that capture and interpret the wearer's surroundings, allowing for the overlay of digital information in the real world.

The data collected by wearable technology is processed by the device's onboard computer, which analyses the information and generates output. This output may take the form of notifications, alerts, or visual displays that are presented to the wearer. For example, a fitness tracker may display the wearer's heart rate and steps taken on a small screen or send this information to a companion app on the wearer's smartphone.

Wearable technology communicates with other devices and services using wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular networks. This allows wearables to connect to other devices such as smartphones, laptops, or smart home devices, and to access cloud-based services such as fitness tracking apps or voice assistants.

An example of wearable technology is the Apple Watch, which combines fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smartphone integration in a wrist-worn device. The Apple Watch contains sensors for heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and fall detection, and it can be used to make phone calls, send messages, and access apps. The watch connects to iPhones and other Apple devices using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and it can access cloud-based services such as Apple Fitness+ and Siri.

Applications of wearable technology

Wearable technology has many applications in various industries, including healthcare, sports, entertainment, and fashion. Here are some examples:

• Healthcare: Wearable technology is used to monitor and manage health and wellness. For example, fitness trackers and smartwatches can track physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns, while medical-grade wearables can monitor blood pressure, glucose levels, and other vital signs.
• Sports: Wearables are used by athletes to track performance and prevent injury. For example, smart clothing with embedded sensors can measure muscle activity and provide feedback on form and technique, while wearables with GPS can track distance, speed, and route.
• Entertainment: Wearables are used in virtual and augmented reality applications, such as gaming and theme park attractions. For example, AR glasses can overlay digital information in the real world, while VR headsets can create immersive experiences in a virtual environment.
• Fashion: Wearable technology is being integrated into clothing and accessories, such as smart jewellery and smart fabrics. For example, smart clothing can monitor body temperature and adjust heating and cooling, while smart jewellery can track activity and provide notifications.
• Workplace: Wearable technology is used in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and construction to improve safety and efficiency. For example, smart glasses can provide hands-free access to information and instructions, while wearables with sensors can detect hasards and alert workers to potential risks.

In all, wearable technology has the potential to transform various industries by providing real-time data, improving safety, and enhancing user experiences.

Examples of wearable technology

Wearable technology is designed to track and analyse data related to health, fitness, or other activities. Here is the list of wearable technology that is used currently- 

• Smartwatches: These are wrist-worn devices that can track fitness, monitor heart rate, make calls, send messages, and even control other smart devices. They are also considered the best wearable technology nowadays. 
• Fitness trackers: These are small, lightweight devices worn on the wrist or clipped to clothing that can track steps, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep patterns.
• Smart clothing: Clothing with built-in sensors can track body temperature, movement, and other biometric data to monitor fitness and health.
• Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets: These wearable devices allow users to experience immersive digital environments and can be used for gaming, education, or other applications.
• Smart glasses: These glasses have a built-in display that can provide information and display augmented reality overlays.
• Smart Accessories: This is jewellery with built-in sensors that can track activity, monitor health, and even make payments.
• Smart shoes: These shoes have built-in sensors that can track steps, monitor running metrics, and even provide feedback on running form.
• Smart helmets: These helmets have built-in sensors that can track speed, location, and other metrics for sports like cycling and skiing.
• Smart earbuds: These are wireless earbuds that can track fitness, monitor heart rate, and even provide coaching during workouts.

Future of wearable technology

The future of wearable technology looks very promising, with continued innovation and advancements in the field. Here are some potential developments we can expect to see in the coming years:

• Improved health monitoring: Wearables will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated in tracking health metrics such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other biometrics. This could potentially revolutionise healthcare by allowing for earlier detection and intervention in health conditions.
• Integration with other devices: Wearables will become increasingly integrated with other smart devices such as smartphones, smart homes, and other wearables. This will enable seamless data sharing and create a more connected and personalised experience.
• Smart fabrics: Wearable technology will move beyond watches and fitness trackers to include clothing and accessories that have built-in sensors and technology. This will allow for a wider range of applications and uses, such as temperature control and haptic feedback.
• Augmented and virtual reality: Wearables will continue to improve the user experience by providing more immersive and interactive augmented and virtual reality experiences. This will have implications for gaming, education, and other industries.
• Sustainability: Wearable technology will become more environmentally friendly by using sustainable materials and energy-efficient components. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of wearable technology and make it more accessible to a wider range of consumers.

Conclusion 

Overall, the future of wearable technology looks bright, with continued advancements in health monitoring, integration with other devices, smart fabrics, augmented and virtual reality, and sustainability. Sunstone can help you learn more about sustainability in wearable technology through their comprehensive B.tech courses which help you gain practical knowledge of the field and engage in interesting capstone projects every semester. We also help you build professional portfolios which are noticed by top recruiters and help you get many other academic and professional benefits. 

FAQ- Wearable Technology 

What is the main purpose of wearable technology?

The main purpose of wearable technology is to enhance and streamline the user's daily activities by providing convenient access to data and communication. It is designed to be integrated into the user's lifestyle and can track various aspects of their health and fitness, provide notifications, and even enable hands-free communication.

Who invented the first wearable device?

The first wearable device was invented by Edward O. Thorp and Claude Shannon in the 1960s. It was a wearable computer designed to predict the outcome of roulette games.

Who is the father of wearable technology?

Steve Mann is often considered the father of wearable technology.