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Perhaps there are still products that have not become popular enough, such as smart augmented reality glasses, but there is no doubt that practically everyone in the world has a cell phone that they carry with them everywhere. examples of wearable technology

Due to this, a large industry has emerged in recent decades that revolves around the manufacture of accessories for cell phones, where the textile industry has played a very important role, since almost no one today carries their phone without carrying it inside. a case. examples of wearable technology

In short, being able to carry a mobile device easily and comfortably is today a real need for users, and that is why the success of the accessory market and cases for smartphones. But this does not stop there, since in reality advances in technology have allowed the generation of a new commercial niche, destined to the manufacture of so-called wearables, such as smartwatches. examples of wearable technology wearable devices examples

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But the truth is that this is not totally new, since the so-called smart clothing has some antecedents that at the time did not achieve the necessary success, such is the case of Levis with his “iPod Jeans”, which unfortunately was launched somewhat early to its time, and that is why it did not achieve the expected sales success.

However, we are now in a different moment in the history of technology, and not only the progress of recent years has been exponential, but also the massification of allowed products generate a fertile ground to begin the road to the introduction of smart clothing and wearables of all kinds. examples of wearable technology

Therefore, it is not surprising that in the near future wearables will become part of our daily lives, since dressing with technology will integrate in an incredible way with our routine. In this sense, many experts assure that smart clothing will begin its global massification at the exact moment when technology is included in a functional way within our garments. examples of wearable technology

What is technology (wearables)?

In order to have an approach to the aspects that characterize everything related to wearable or wearable technology, we must in principle define this concept, so it should be clarified that the term “wearable” comes from the English language, which when translated into Spanish refers to to the word “wearable”, although it is also usually translated as “wearable”. examples of wearable technology wearable devices examples

This definition refers to the concept of wearable in general aspects, but the truth is that we must apply this concept to the technological world, where of course the meaning that it immediately acquires refers to all the technology developed in relation to what can be carried or the developments technological that the user can wear as part of their outfit or accessories. examples of wearable technology wearable devices in healthcare wearable devices examples

Hence, when we talk about wearable or wearable technology, we refer to a huge range of technological devices that are integrated into our clothing and accessories. Due to this, one of the main characteristics of these devices focuses on their small size, since they must also not be too heavy, so that the user can carry them with them all the time without this becoming a discomfort. examples of wearable technology wearable devices in healthcare wearable devices examples

Within the world of wearable or wearable technology we find a wide range of products, some already developed, manufactured and in use by people, and others that are in their design and prototype stage. Although most people consider that wearable is simply a device that we use as an accessory, such as a smartwatch, the truth is that there are also those that are included in other fashion products, such as what happens with the clothing and wearable textiles. examples of  wearable technology wearable devices in healthcare

At present we can find different models of garments whose main characteristic resides in that they integrate their own technology of electronic devices , which allows the user to interact continuously and fluidly with their clothes and accessories. We have already mentioned smartwatches and smart glasses as examples , but the truth is that the world of wearable does not stop there, since we can also find sports shoes that include a built-in GPS device.

Now, what are wearables for? Many ask this question, since for example it is true that if we need a GPS we can use the one that includes our cell phone. However, the user experience and integration that allows, for example, shoes with GPS , make wearable or wearable technology a real benefit. Let us bear in mind that one of the main objectives of wearable technology focuses on being able to have a daily clothing or accessory that in addition to dressing ourselves may be able to carry out some specific function, through which life becomes easier for us, and the best thing is that we can use this type of technological platforms almost without realizing it at every moment of the day.

In general terms, we can then define wearable or wearable technology as all those products that can be used on a daily basis by users and that include in their structure one or more electronic microprocessors that perform a specific function practically automatically. wearable devices in healthcare

Therefore, within the wearable products market we can find smart watches, smart glasses, bracelets, rings, clothing such as pants, t-shirts, jackets, among others, and the particularity of each of them is that thanks to the microprocessor they include they can process data and perform a specific task, such as taking a photograph. Likewise, these types of wearable accessories are not only integrated into our clothing style , but also allow us to maintain permanent interaction, both with the user and with other devices.

Advantages and disadvantages of this technology

When knowing the scope of wearable technology and reviewing what we mean specifically when we talk about wearable devices, it is also important to take into account the multiple advantages that these types of devices have, which of course are mainly aimed at improving the user experience and make people’s lives easier.

In this sense, we can mention that one of the main advantages of wearable technology resides in the fact that because they are electronic devices of a really small size, it makes it possible that we do not have to carry this type of accessories in specific places for it, In other words, we should not carry these devices, since they are perfectly integrated into garments or accessories that we often use. wearable devices in healthcare wearable devices examples

That is to say that unlike what happens for example with a smart cell phone, which we must carry in a purse or bag, and even in the hand , wearable technology is carried as if it were part of our own body, since In short, since it is wearable technology , as its name indicates, we can wear it. wearable devices in healthcare

On the other hand, another of the great benefits that wearable technology has is that it offers us the possibility of grouping in the same device a great variety of tools for different purposes, that is, we can have through said wearable device an endless number of applications anytime, anywhere. wearable devices in healthcare

A clear example of this is the popular smartwatch, with which users can perform a large number of tasks, including the ability to receive or make calls, manage email, listen to music, take pictures, control aspects of our physical health, receive notifications and reminders, make use of navigation through GPS , among a huge variety of functionalities. wearable devices in healthcare  wearable devices examples

In addition to all this, we can mention as an advantage of wearable technology the fact that in most cases they are devices that we can customize according to our real user needs. As an example of this, we can mention again the smartbands, which allow us, among other things, when we are doing sports, to be able to receive notifications in relation to different aspects of our physical condition, such as the heart rate, steps traveled and others. Likewise, if it includes GPS, we can indicate a destination, so that the 

wearable device presents us with a probable route to reach that place, with relevant traffic data and others. wearable devices in healthcare

Although we can assure you that wearable technology has a huge number of benefits, and precisely in this lies its success, the truth is that we cannot fail to mention some of the disadvantages that this type of system has, since as with everything, wearable technology also has some drawbacks.

Among the main disadvantages of wearable technology we can cite the fact that the autonomy of the devices is not always as expected, which is mainly due to the type of battery they include for their operation. Let us bear in mind that due to the fact that these are really small devices, the truth is that the batteries used are also usually small and limited, so they require frequent charging cycles.

In general, in most cases of wearable products, manufacturers include batteries that allow the device to achieve a maximum autonomy of 24 hours, which actually depends on the use that people give to said device. However, this happens in the best of cases, since generally wearable devices that are used throughout the day often require a charge every 12 or 18 hours. wearable devices examples

It is clear that another of the drawbacks that wearable technology products currently present is their high cost, since the truth is that in order to acquire an effective and good quality wearable technology device that meets our user needs, we must invest a good amount of money. Of course, this negative aspect is a factor that will be overcome over the years, since the greater the supply in the market, this type of device will tend to decrease in value, as happened with smart cell phones. wearable health monitoring devices wearable devices examples

History of wearable technology

While it is true that in recent years the vestible or wearable technology has generated interest in consumers around the world, making these systems in a real boom in the markets, the fact is that the wearable technology has existed for many decades and even centuries. wearable health monitoring devices wearable devices examples

It is that human beings have always tried to develop new paradigms that allow them to improve their lifestyle, and it is precisely on this premise that the developments that over the years have focused on being able to offer wearable devices according to the specific needs of people, at different times. wearable health monitoring devices

Below we review the chronology of events around wearable or wearable technology to this day. wearable health monitoring devices

The first sign that we can cite regarding the history and origins of wearable technology is in the year 1660, when the Qing dynasty developed a ring of a conventional size, since it had a dimension of 1.2 cm long and 0.7 cm wide, which included a fully functional abacus. wearable health monitoring devices wearable devices examples

The following reference can be found two centuries later, precisely at the time of 1810, when it is considered that the first portable watch was created. It is a small pocket watch for women that included a chain to be used as a bracelet. This device was designed and produced by the watchmaker Breguet for the Queen of Naples. A few decades later, precisely in 1896, the creator Scipione Riva-Rocci developed the first bracelet in history to control blood pressure. wearable health monitoring devices

A century later, the event that occurred in 1961 that had as its protagonists the mathematicians Edward Thorp and Claude Shannon is considered part of the history of wearable technology , who tested the effectiveness of a laptop developed by them to count letters and cheat on the roulette. The same happened in 1972, when the scientist Keith Taft developed laptop called George, which allowed to cheat in games of blackjack.

Shortly after, in 1975, the Pulsar Calculator was launched on a massive scale, which is considered the first wrist calculator, which would become a real furor in the market. Almost a decade later, precisely in 1981, the well-known Steve Mann managed to connect an Apple II to a backpack, with the aim of being able to use the backpack to control photographic equipment. wearable health monitoring devices

In 1987, what are considered the first digital hearing aids, developed and manufactured by the Nicolet Corporation, were launched on the market . This innovative device for the time had a processor that the user had to wear since it included a wired connection and an ear-mounted transducer. wearable health monitoring devices

It was in 1994 when the restless developer Steve Mann created and designed what would be the first portable wireless webcam in history, after which he demonstrated its operation by uploading images to the internet with the device, generating a true revolution. In 2000, the first headset with Bluetooth technology was released.

After that, in 2002 Xybernaut Poma Wearable PC was launched, a device that radically changed the way a computer is used. Of course, the revolution of wearables was also occurring in other areas, such as medicine, where in 2003 the so-called Vitatron C-Series was launched to the world, which consisted of the first digital pacemaker. wearable health monitoring devices

In 2004 the GoPro portable camera was launched, which would become the ally of athletes and lovers of extreme video. In 2006, the companies Nike and Apple joined forces to launch the “Nike + iPod” model, a pair of shoes that allowed users to synchronize their movements with the music they were listening to. Three years later was the launch of Fitbit.

From there, a strong market for devices based on wearable technology was generated , especially after the Pebble smartwatch was launched massively in 2012. A few months after this launch, it was the turn of Google Glass, which generated a huge response from the public, since its main feature focused on allowing the user to control the wearable device through voice recognition software. and a touch panel.

The developments that have followed up to the present time have allowed, among other things, that in recent years users could have wearable products such as tablets and wearable technology, smart shoes, bicycle helmets that include navigation systems, clothing with wearable technology that can respond to environmental changes or even pants that have a built-in charger for our cell phone, portable pet tracking devices and a myriad of products.

For all this, the future of wearable technology is really promising, since the truth is that year after year hundreds of patents are filed that are registered for the development and launch of new products. Likewise, wearable technology is very promising in other areas such as medicine, where, for example, the creation of a pill that the patient must ingest and that works as a vital signs sensor has recently been presented, on which tests are being carried out that even the moment have proven their effectiveness.

In short, wearable technology seems to have no limits.

The future of wearable technology

Many are the experts who consider that wearable or wearable technology is the next step between the fusion of man and the microprocessor. To substantiate this assertion, it is enough just to know that there are current developments in the testing phase that point to wearable implants, which, being surgically implanted under the skin, allow the user to carry the device with him at all times.

For many this could be an invasion of privacy, but the truth is that if we look at it from other points of view, such as from the health field, we realize that wearable implant technology can be extremely useful. For example, it could be a great solution for diabetics, as they could include insulin pumps that would deliver the medication directly to the patient’s body.

With regard to the wearable technology that we know these days, and that surely is already part of our daily lives, we could assure that due to the success that the wearable technology market

has had in recent years, it is likely that products such as smartwatches or smartbands continue to be products consumed by users for decades to come. Of course, in a few more years, devices such as smart glasses, smart tattoos and implants will surely be added to them.

In general terms, we can see that in the integration of mobile technology in everything that surrounds us, even in what covers us, is the key to the future, and clothing will be, without a doubt, the main area of ​​convergence. At this point, both designers and technologists are collaborating to promote new variants that will make possible the definitive union of technology with clothing.

Various types of conductive fabrics and even printed electronics have already been developed in this field , which has led to new advances in the smart textile market . However, there are still some challenges to face.

In this regard, manufacturers and developers of wearables should evaluate in the immediate years some aspects of smart clothing, such as that they do not end up being a product that due to various discomforts does not achieve the success that is expected, for example because textiles arise. that cause skin irritation problems, excessive sweating and others.

At the same time, the smart clothing market will have to face the challenge of not only generating interest in people and the need in the consumer to acquire these products, but above all to be able to maintain interest over time, and thus become common products, such as traditional clothing, and in a way that comes to replace the latter.

Of course even the integration of this intelligence garments clothing is costly, but new technologies will reduce the cost of mass production, and also with the time and the possibility that the gadget clothes a fashion turns around the world, its values ​​will be more in line with the pocket of the common user.

Let’s see what has happened in recent years with smartwatches. When this technology was talked about a long time ago, and as a watch could become a more than useful gadget by synchronizing and being in permanent communication with our Smartphone and our user accounts, most of the users remained incredulous of the possibilities that they could get to provide these smart watches.

However, today a large market has been generated around smartwatches, driven in principle by the large brands that manufacture smartphones together with companies that develop software and operating systems, which led to the fact that there are currently hundreds and hundreds of factories that market the most diverse models of smartwatch.

The success of smartwatches clearly demonstrates that there is a marked increase in user interest in integrating technology and accessories, and that is where gadget clothing begins to have value. The same can be observed within the sports field and in the field of health, where smart clothing has already taken a more than important step. examples of wearable technology

The truth is that to reach the true massification of smart clothing there is still some way to go, even more so to reach the stage in which people allow an implant to be grafted under the skin, since in addition to all that is still exposed There are no standards on which electronics and wearable technology are based that indicate, for example, how a garment should behave and its purpose, or what the safety limits of smart implants are.

For the moment, the future of wearable technology seems to be aimed at achieving mass use of smart clothing, based on the possibility that these types of products offer, whose main objective is to facilitate the most adequate integration of clothing with technology. Many consider that the right path is to convert the clothing that people usually use to provide new functionalities, that is to say that finally the clothing allows us to expand the capabilities of our mobile devices , which will be a real success.