Wearables‚ which come in various forms‚ have become a major trend in the modern world. Handheld devices‚ for instance‚ not only offer basic functions like telling the time‚ but provide us with relevant notifications‚ help us set our fitness goals and more.
Head-mounted devices‚ meanwhile‚ are revolutionising the gaming and entertainment industry as well as enabling remote maintenance and enhanced safety in the manufacturing sector. They are even capable of saving lives in the medical arena through 3-dimensional imagery for critical surgeries. Admittedly‚ today’s wearables are in the nascent stage of development‚ but we believe they will undergo some significant changes in the future:
Condensed tech – According to Moore’s law‚ transistors will get smaller as their efficiency rises over time. The capabilities of these miniature transistors could be amazing; they could be embedded into personal accessories‚ informing users if they’re sitting too long in front of the TV or working too long on their digital devices‚ all through measuring physical and physiological parameters. Smaller devices combined with proactive nudges towards an active lifestyle would be bound to attract more users.
Efficiency – Currently wearable technologies run on batteries‚ charged by adapters. However‚ in the future‚ alternative forms of energy could be used. Indeed‚ it is likely wrist devices may start sourcing power from body heat‚ making them even more popular.
Precision focus – Wearables would focus on generating more accurate readings from users’ bodies and would no longer remain tracking devices. It is quite likely future users will have multiple sensor sources on their bodies‚ allowing data gathering through accelerometers and gyroscopes.
Learning responsive behaviour – Wearable technology would not be limited to measuring activities. Instead‚ gadgets would make use of complex algorithms to gain more insight into human behaviours. Notifications‚ meanwhile‚ would be aligned to suit different activities‚ encouraging users to engage more. For instance‚ the cause of a sleepless night or prolonged heart rate spike could be analysed‚ with newer devices being geared towards identifying practical steps‚ tailored to the individual‚ that would lead to lifestyle improvements.
Convergence of technologies – There will be seamless integration between wearables and other digital devices. These gadgets would be connected to smart homes and automated cars‚ in turn enhancing living standards through comfort‚ convenience and security. Tesla’s integrated technology‚ for instance‚ enables car owners to unlock their cars through sensors simply by calculating the distance between the owner and the vehicle. The sensors also track the user’s body temperature and adjust the car’s air conditioning system to regulate the environment accordingly.
