Today’s technology has advanced far beyond our imaginations creating a wide variety of wearables for the future. What once seemed like an alien concept has soon become a part of our everyday lives.
A wearable is an accessory that is worn by one or more people that monitors, measures, controls or provides data about the person (or group of people) wearing it and/or their immediate environment. As wearables have become more and more mainstream they are now expected – if not wanted – as part of modern life.
(Image Source: Statista)
Wearables have become popular for a variety of reasons but the most noticeable and defining factor is their convenience. Wearables are an easier, more convenient way to track metabolic health and fitness programs than even going to a doctor. The future is now when it comes to wearables, the only question is how far can technology go?
The word “wearable” as defined by Merriam Webster dictionary refers to any object that you can put on your body as clothing or equipment. The wearable industry has advanced exponentially over the past few years, with projected sales projected at $275 billion by the end of 202. This has led wearable technology companies like Apple Inc., FitBit Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Xiaomi Corp., Garmin Ltd. and Alphabet Inc. (Google) to come out with smart watches, fitness trackers, lapel pins, glasses and other devices that can be worn on the body.
Wearables have changed how we interact with technology and are projected to create a wearable market of $19 billion by 2021. With all this potential in the wearable market, virtual reality is slowly being realized as the next logical step in wearable tech and is projected to be a $150 billion dollar industry by 2025.
The way that technology is constantly evolving with innovation is what makes wearables such an exciting topic to explore as they carry so much potential. Different types of phones have been developing and changing over time, but now there are more devices than ever before specifically designed for fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, weight loss, and vision. This article will look at some of the most advanced wearables that are set to dominate the consumer market in the upcoming years.Here is a look at a few on the market today.
DentalSlim Diet Control Seal
We are seeing a new generation of weight loss devices that can help those looking to shed the pounds. DentalSlim Diet Control Seal by University of Otago and UK researchers is an intraoral device which comes in two parts and is placed on the upper and lower jaws in the mouth on the back teeth. The device uses magnets that are unique and built with custom bolts to keep the moth shut. The device allows users to have a gap of about 2 mm to help with breathing and drinking liquids.
The product is intended for adults with obesity who are at low-to-moderate risk of developing comorbidities associated with obesity. It is not recommended for patients who wear dentures, have implant supported prostheses, or have active periodontal disease.
(Image Source: University of Otago)
This weight loss device is still undergoing clinical trials but it’s been approved by the FDA to go on sale in some places around the world. In the UK, it is registered as a class IIIa medical device, which means that it has already passed the first hurdle of proving that it does what it is intended to do.
In addition to weight loss, other benefits include improved digestion, better dental hygiene and reduction in snoring. There are a few downsides though; this product cannot be used by people with respiratory problems such as sleep apnea. It also requires an adjustment period of one month for proper adjustment and can be extremely uncomfortable for some users at first.
Google Glass
This well-known wearable device came out nearly two years ago, and was supposed to revolutionize the way we saw the world around us. The bionic eyewear lets users do everything from take photos and videos with voice commands to check maps, search the internet or play games.
(Image Source: Google)
Smart glasses are revolutionising the way we conduct a number of tasks. Not only do smart glasses have a palace in our everyday lives, especially for those who already wear glasses, but its capabilities can also be expanded far beyond Industrie like manufacturing and healthcare. The use of smart glasses gives surgeons the ability to see the smarter way and to carry out surgery with an overlay image giving them precision cutting insight, making surgeries safer.
There were many flaws in this product as it was highly criticized for being extremely awkward to use and irresponsible drug use among its users. Although it garnered a lot of attention from media outlets, consumers were not enticed by this type of technology. The main culprit for this failure is that consumers did not see the appeal of wearing an eyepiece on their head when they can simply have their smartphone in their hand.
Smart Gluco insulin pump
The Smart Gluco is a type of wearable insulin pump that attaches to the body ridding the need to do a finger prick test to test blood sugar levels. This device also has the capability to provide additional paging capabilities and it can be paired with a mobile app for further customization options.
(Image Source: Smart Gluco)
The battery life lasts anywhere from ten hours to sixteen hours before it needs to be recharged, which is yet another great reason that so many people love it. It is also flexible in that it can be used by people who are blind or have impaired vision. Instead of having a dial that controls the amount of insulin being released into the body, this device uses Bluetooth auto-dialing technology to control the amount of insulin being released, which makes it much safer and easier to use.
The Smart Gluco is intended for people who need a pump but are not stable enough on their own to monitor their blood sugar levels. It is great for diabetics and those with Type I and II diabetes.
As these technologies continue to grow and we start seeing more people wearing them daily we will begin experiencing the full benefits of this new frontier in tech. We are already seeing more sophisticated components, meaning we may just be on the verge of a new era in wearable technology.
Final Words
With the huge advancements in technology this year, devices like the Apple Watch and Google Glass are sure to receive an even bigger push and daily usage will continue to grow. Wearable technology is becoming so much more than a novelty, and that’s why it’s an exciting time to consider this new field of science as it could very well change our lives as we know them.