Wearable technology also referred to as wearables is a hot topic for sure. The concept is so exciting because it is a perfect marriage between two super important industries. What could be more fascinating then merging fashion with tech innovation?
Wearable technology is essentially wearable devices that utilize electronics or some other aspect of technological innovation. The wearables can come in the form of clothing, footwear, accessories, and items we have not yet even begun to contemplate. The designs often incorporate practical functions and features, but may also have an aesthetic agenda. Clothing and accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies are the way of the future. Fashion electronics are part of modern society and are clearly on a significant growth path. We are only limited by our imagination.
The industry has already been hard at work developing high tech bras, computerized eyewear, bracelets that monitor our health, etc. Tech may be found in hats, hoodies, sneakers, jewelry, and every other garment or fashion accessory that we can imagine.
Possible uses:
Jacket sleeves that vibrate to point people in the proper direction.
Bras that monitor overeating.
Virtual reality headsets.
Rings for making punching sounds while practicing karate.
GPS monitoring for children and the elderly.
Medical notifications for diabetes, etc. (possibly ways to automate injections).
Bracelets for fitness monitoring.
Smart hoodies to read our thoughts.
Body heat altering clothing for camouflage.
The list of possibilities goes on and on.
Here are a few of the ideas we have seen:
SmartBand
Smart Hoodie
Google Glass
iWatch
Fitbit
Simband
SmartWatch
Bluetooth Ring
Wearable technology is related to both the field of ubiquitous computing and the history and development of wearable computers. With ubiquitous computing, wearable technology share the vision of interweaving technology into the everyday life, of making technology pervasive and interaction friction less.
The calculator watch, introduced in the 1980s, was one original piece of widespread worn electronics. A few decades later, Sony Ericsson teamed up with the London College of Fashion for a contest to design digital clothing, and the winner was a cocktail dress with Bluetooth technology making it light up when a call is received. On April 16, 2013, Mountain View corporation Google allowed for those that pre-ordered its wearable glasses at the 2012 Google I/o conference to pick up the device. This day marked the official launch of Google Glass, a device that brings rich text and notifications as well as other information straight to your eyes. The device also had a 5 MP camera and records 720p. Its various functions are activated via voice command. In our opinion, the future will continue with tech accessories until everyone is comfortable with the concept of implants.
Our new great idea:
How about wearing fake nails that are screens so you can change the color or images on your nails at the touch of a button? Maybe this will be Apparel Search’s contribution to fashionistas around the world…
As fashion designers and programmers continue to work together amazing products are coming our way. I for one, am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Relevant Technology for wearables:
Relevant News:
Top Shop Wearable Tech for Payments
adidas miCoach Fitness Watches & Trackers
Project Jacquard & Project Soli
Microsoft Band Wearable Technology
Mashable also has a nice flow of news regarding this topic. You can learn more about Wearable Technology on the Mashable site.
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