Wearable Technology

Wearable technology may seem to be a recent

development – think of the fictional spy gadgets of James
Bond, or the smartwatches that are currently flooding
the market. Despite this, wearable tech has been around
for longer than we might think and is helping to shape
the future of our lives.
Wearable technology is a general term for hands-
free devices powered by microprocessors and enhanced
with the ability to send and receive data via Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, or cellular networks.

In a nutshell, wearable technology describes a group

of devices, including fitness trackers and smartwatches,
that are designed to be worn throughout the day, often
called “wearables” for short. These technologies often
require an app that exchanges data with the wearable
device to perform functions such as tracking movement,
organizing tasks, and providing location-specific
information, among many more.

It could be argued that wearable technology goes

back a long way, at least to Wearable technology covers
electronic devices that are worn close to the skin, on
clothes or even as implants or tattoos. They have most
popularly been used as a way of monitoring health,
providing real time data on, for example, heart rate or
number of steps taken that day. However, they can now
also be used to receive emails, make phone calls or set
alarms. In fact the number of functions they provide is
growing all the time.
In the age of computers, wearable technology
started its modern journey in the 1950s, only a few years
after computer technology itself became established.
Wearables have now attached themselves to the
lives of millions and we can only see their rise continue.
As technology improves so will the functions of
wearables.
In our jobs, wearables could well play an important
part in the connected workplace, allowing people to keep
in touch with one another, understand where they are at
any moment in time and communicate with each other
more flexibly. On the go work will be made easier by
wearables and they are likely to become part of your
technology mix to encourage collaboration and
communicate. Imagine being able to book a meeting
room with the flick of your wrist or check your calendar
by touching you ear – the possibilities are endless.

Features To Look for in Wearable Devices:

 Ergonomic, easy to use. For the success of an
innovative product, it must not only serve the real
purpose but also be easy to use. ...
 Longer battery life. ...
 Mobile app ecosystem. ...
 Data security. ...
  Hands-free monitoring.
Examples:
1. Smart Rings

One of the most basic yet useful smart wearable devices

you can get this upcoming year is a smart ring. If you’re
someone who spends a lot of time in work meetings or in
class and doesn’t want to look at your phone’s screen
every time you get a notification, this is a perfect little
device for you.
With a smart ring, you can receive alerts without drawing
attention to yourself. You can also use a smart ring for
contactless payments and even to open or lock your
front door or your car. Plus, you don’t have to worry
about constantly charging your smart ring, as these
devices come with long battery life.
2. Smart Glasses

Smart glasses come with small computers that process

information and display the results in real time. They do
it in a way that only you – the wearer – can see this
information. Most smart glasses can connect to your
smartphone via Bluetooth, show incoming calls, provide
GPS navigation, and similar. While other glasses can
improve your life in a more significant way due to their
AR or virtual reality capabilities.

3.
S
m
ar
t

Clothing with Sensors

A recent addition to the intelligent wearables family is

smart clothes. These clothes come with sensors that
measure various metrics about your body and send you
notifications if something’s wrong or outside the norm.
The jacket connects to your phone via Bluetooth and can
be paired with Android and iOS. According to Levi’s, this
wearable is water-resistant. Also, it comes with a battery
life of up to 14 days of active use.
4. Smart Earphones

Smart wearables aren’t all activity trackers. Some of

them aim to reduce your daily stress levels and improve
your sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, get yourself
a headset that performs the functions of your regular
earbuds and earphones simultaneously.
5. Medical Wearables

Smart medical wearables are a popular type of wearable

electronics nowadays. While Fitbit is enough for reaching
their fitness or lifestyle goals for some people, even the
best smartwatch can’t keep track of your blood oxygen,
blood pressure, or hydration levels. Medical wearables
are still in their early development stages but it’s already
apparent that these can simplify the everyday lives of
many people and have many applications in the
healthcare sphere.

Advantages of Wearable Technology:

Like any technology, wearable computing extends the
reach and capabilities of a person. Wearables can
provide:
  Increased Productivity. Wearables have a wide range
of features that deliver increased production by
15%.
 Enhanced Speed. Every second counts in operation
workflows. ...
 Superior Task Accuracy. ...
 Outstanding Wireless Readability. ...
 Increased Worker Awareness.
 Enhanced communication, memory, sensing,
recognition, and logistical skills.
 Monitor your health.

Disadvantages of Wearable Technology:

 Wearables are expensive. ...

 Some wearables are not stand-alone devices. ...
 Wearables can have health risks. ...
 Wearable technology may pose security risks. ...
 There are some privacy concerns regarding
wearables. ...
 There are limitations to the use of wearables
because of their size.

Benefits:
 Enhanced Student Engagement
Wearable technologies are engaging educational tools
that help students obtain firsthand information about
any topic they choose. Teachers can use these wearables
to come up with and share teaching schedules among
students and teaching staff. This enables students to be
informed about their timelines for assignment
submissions and exam schedules, helping avoid any
instances of miscommunication.

 Hands-Free Convenience
Freeing up your hands is a common attribute of wearable
technologies. For example, smart glasses can be a great
tool for studying, allowing students to take notes without
missing important topics during lectures.

 Improved Student–Teacher Communication

Teachers can use wearables to conduct real-time classes without assembling all of
their students under one roof. Students can send any queries to their teachers and
enjoy better remote access to the study materials they need.
 Cameras for Classrooms and Schools
Recorded lessons will come in handy for students who have missed a class or were
absent for a day due to ill health or for other personal reasons.
 Distance Learning
Students wearing smart glasses can obtain all the
benefits of distance learning. They can enjoy holistic
learning through lessons complete with practical
illustrations that are presented by these tools.

 The Smart Way To Learn History and Languages

Students can use VR headsets to visit former empires or
foreign locations and cultures without stepping out of
the classroom. This allows them to have authentic
experiences that cannot be replicated through images,
pictures, slideshows, or static maps.

 Wearable Monitors for Kids

Smart wearable devices are useful not only for teachers
and students but also for parents. For example, parents
can use fitness bracelets and apps to check their kids’
health, know where they are, or monitor how many
steps they take.