Wearable technology is a form of technical gadget that can be worn on the body. The well-known examples of wearables are fitness trackers, smartwatches, and head-mounted displays such as Google Glass. The wearable market is predicted to increase at an exponential rate in the coming years.
Steve Mann, a researcher, developed the term "wearable technology" in the early 1990s. Mann was among the first to experiment with wearable computer systems, and he is often credited with coining the term.
The concept of wearable technology is so old that humans have worn jewelry made of shells, stone, and bones for millennia to protect themselves from the threats of existence or as a mark of social position. People have been wearing earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces made of precious stones since time immemorial. Nowadays we wear watches, spectacles, and jewelry for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Wearable technology in our times can range from simple fitness trackers to more complex devices that provide a broad spectrum of biological data and information.
How does wearable technology work?
A sensor, a microcontroller, and a power supply are the three primary components of wearable technology. The sensor gathers information about the wearer's surroundings and physiology. The CPU processes this data. A power source provides the energy required to run the device. Most wearable devices are battery-powered, and many of them link wirelessly to a smartphone or computer. The gadget often allows the user to operate the device with their voice.
What are the benefits of wearable technology?
Wearable technology has a plethora of advantages. Wearables allow you to constantly read your surroundings and vital information more closely. Some of the most common types of wearables include fitness trackers, smartwatches, heart rate monitors, sleep monitors, GPS gadgets etc.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches are a sort of wearable that is worn around the wrist, and they are gaining popularity. One of two operating systems, Android Wear or Apple's watchOS, power most smartwatches. Bluetooth technology is used to connect smartwatches to smartphones. Smartwatches could do a range of things, including tracking your fitness, sending and receiving notifications, checking your heart rate, and even controlling your smart home devices.
Fitness trackers
Another sort of wearable technology is fitness trackers. They are intended to track a person's health and level of physical activity. Fitness trackers employ sensors to record information such as how many kilometers a person walks in a day, heart rate, and the number of calories burned. The data is then transferred to a smartphone or computer for analysis.
There are lots of types of fitness trackers on the market, each with its own set of functions and pricing. Some fitness trackers are quite basic and just track a few key metrics.
Disadvantages of wearable technology
Wearable technology has a few drawbacks that should be considered before purchasing a device.
Privacy violations
One of the most serious drawbacks of wearable technology is the possibility of privacy violations. Because these devices are always with you, they can record critical conversations or capture photographs without your awareness. There have already been multiple examples of people being recorded without their knowledge, while wearing a wearable. Such odd cases are sure to occur more often as wearable technology becomes more widespread.
Information overload and highly distracting
Most of us dread typical alerts and vibrations. Another major issue with wearable technology is that it is highly distracting. These days, we are continuously bombarded with messages and notifications, and it can be difficult to focus on what we're doing when we're wearing a device that is continuously beeping or vibrating. This can result in poor productivity and more stress.
Constant surveillance
The next disadvantage of wearable technology is that it might be irritating. It can be tough to avoid constant surveillance if you wear a device that tracks your behavior. This can cause worry, and uneasiness, as well as a lack of privacy.
Expensive
Finally, wearable technology can be costly. The devices themselves can be pricey, and if you use a service, the costs might be even higher.
Conclusion
Wearable technology is a broad word that refers to a variety of gadgets and clothes. It can range from smartwatches and fitness trackers to more complex devices such as Google Glass. Although there are certain drawbacks to wearable technology, the benefits greatly exceed the drawbacks. It is a simple and great method to track your fitness, stay in touch with loved ones, and receive critical notifications.
Wearable technology has a promising future and can revolutionize the way we live, work, and play. With more individuals looking for methods to live healthier, more active lifestyles, we can expect to see an increase in the number of wearable gadgets on the market over the next few years. Whether you want to use a wearable device to track your fitness, keep connected with loved ones, or be alerted to potential hazards, there is a device for you.
Cheers!
