Wearable Devices

Other Unique Engineering Ideas

“Instead of being deaf, dumb, and blind sitting on our desks or in our pockets, our computers might be able to observe what we do all day, understand what is important to us, and act as a virtual assistant who helps us on a second-by-second basis,” said Thad Starner, Associate Professor of the Contextual Computing Group at Georgia Tech University.  

1. Description

2. Why We Need

3. How To Implement

4. Future Trends

5. Related Links

Useful Links Aricent, Computing for Daily life (MIT), Archeoguide

Description 

Wearable computing also has a natural home in the world of gaming. Nintendo's Wii controller already has motion-sensors and it seems it won't be long before more interactive gear, including clothing, become part of a video-game player's wardrobe."Intelligent clothing will remain a specialist item for the foreseeable future, but it has a number of different areas of application, including gaming, diaries and as personal assistants, Cliff Randell, Research Fellow at Bristol University told CNN.Rather than simply attaching sophisticated pieces of technology to garments, a large area of research is creating textiles that have electronics built into them. 

Why We Need 

Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have been used by companies such as Wal-Mart and Gillette to monitor their supply chains and increase security of their stock. The same existing technology can be employed by some airports to track bags, instead of the often-unreliable barcode labels.The next generation of pervasive computing could do more than just keep tabs on where things are. Sensors and microchips could be applied to your bag or jacket pocket and remind you to take your umbrella with you if the forecast is for rain or not to forget your house keys if you are leaving the house.Unlike intelligent tags and the idea of a ’smart dust’ — sensor devices in all objects and appliances that are always ‘on’ — the person wearing a sensor-enabled coat would be able to choose with whom or what it interacts with. 

How To Implement

The development of wearable technology is perhaps a logical product of the convergence between the miniaturization of microchips (nanotechnology) and an increasing interest in pervasive computing where mobility is the main objective. The miniaturization of computers is largely due to the decreasing size of semiconductors and switches, molecular manufacturing will allow for “not only molecular-scale switches but also nanoscale motors, pumps, pipes, machinery that could mimic skin”

  • Starner developed intelligent wearable systems that can record and repay information, and has worn his own custom-made wearable computer since 1993.

  • Adrian Cable, Gauri Nanda and Michael Bove from MIT’s Media Lab developed computerized fabric patches that could be placed in clothing or everyday objects. 

  • Developers at Carnegie Mellon University’s wearable computer department have looked at how a wearable computer system can help diabetics [Diabetes Management Assistant or DIMA] manage their disease with wireless communication including a glucose meter, digital camera and pedometer.

  • A team at MIT’s Media Lab has been looking at other ways of keeping people healthy. Lynette Jones heads a team who are developing a vibrating vest that writes messages on its wearer’s back. It is hoped that it could provided vital communication between soldiers in the field or fire-fighters, displaying warnings when normal radios can’t be used.

Future Trends 

Motorola, with MIT Media Lab, envisions a family of fashionable, wearable devices representing the next generation of personal computing and wireless communications. The Aricent strategic creative consultancy, frog design is regularly asked to look into the future and forecast what communication devices will look like years from now. 

WDA (Wearable Digital Assistant): A handheld similar to a mobile phone. It uses voice recognition capabilities instead of traditional numeric keypad. 

Wristable: The Wristable has the same technical description as the WDA, but it is worn on the wrist. 

Goggles: Integrated into the frame of exciting, stylish sports eyewear, this device incorporates a heads-up display, digital camera, ear bud and microphone. 

As with all computers, there are some worries over the security of wearable devices that are able to store and wirelessly send personal information.“The main challenge is making security techniques lightweight, but apart from that people shouldn’t be overly worried about security issues,” said Randell.

Related Articles

Related Links