Future Evolution

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace and devices are becoming smaller, faster and more feature heavy due to factors such as:

• Increased processing speed
• Increased battery capacity
• Precision sensor technologies

These advances in technology will continue to make future devices more adaptable to the human body.

One example of this advanced power and adaptability is the telescopic contact lens, which provides the wearer with the power to zoom their vision by almost three times! Another example is the NuWave glasses, which help to amplify sound for the hearing impaired, acting almost like a hearing aid.

Industrial and cultural changes that could help wearable technology become more advanced and accepted include:

• A reduction in cost to develop electronic components – if these devices become more common, eventually the prices will decrease.
• Manageable privacy – Google Glass for example uses a camera for facial recognition and can capture anything in view without other people knowing.

Can you think of an idea for a piece of wearable technology that takes the form of the human body?

What kind of devices would you like to see developed?

How long do you think it will be before the machines rise and take over the earth?

The Digital Divide

One example of how the Digital Divide is not influenced by wearable technology is the 3D printed exoskeleton which allowed a child with the Arthrogryposis condition to move her arms. Due to the advances in 3D printing capabilities, materials can be created to support individual needs and are a fraction of the cost of existing production methods. This means that people who could normally not afford the traditional technology can still have access to something similar.

An example of how the Digital Divide is being influenced by wearable technology is in developing countries where people do not have access to the technologies. For example, someone with the same incapacity would not be able to take advantage of the technology. Google Glass is another example, currently it doesn’t serve a considerable purpose and comes at a high price.

Do you think that wearable technology is determining how society goes about their everyday tasks, or is society determining the way that wearable devices function?

Effect on Social Environment

Wearable computing technology has expanded into a range of different applications such as:

• Healthcare
• Emergency services
• Sport
• Fashion
• Entertainment

At the moment most existing devices are used to help people better understand their personal health and fitness by monitoring exercise and heart rate etc. The effect this has on the social environment is that it can empower people to take a more active role in their personal well-being.

Are there any negative effects that wearable technology could have on society?

Precedent Cultural Factors

Wearable devices are used by people to help with the performance of their tasks and should be able to be used as an accessory as well. If they are going to be used as an accessory then the user would want them to be physically comfortable.

The earlier devices were a burden on the users because of their size and weight, which is why today’s current devices have become more body adaptable. Developers are constantly redesigning wearable computers to take the form of clothing or other accessories.

Precedent Technologies

Where did the concept of body-adapted wearable technology come from? The idea developed from original wearable devices such as:

• The Pulsar Calculator Wristwatch – released by a company called Seiko in 1975.
• Steve Mann’s computer backpack with camera viewfinder for a display in 1981 and also his wireless wearable webcam in 1994.
• POMA wearable PC
• Bluetooth headset in 2002

These devices were created to increase ease, productivity and efficiency for people, however at the time they were bulky and intrusive.

Would you be caught wearing one of these devices today? My guess is that you would get a lot of weird looks in the street.