Why wearable tech will be as big as the smartphone?

"Data will not help you if you can’t see it when you need it. For Dan Eisenhardt—a competitive swimmer for more than a decade, beginning as a 9-year-old in his native Denmark—the data he needed in the water, what he could never know in the water, was his splits. His event was the 1,500-meter freestyle, the longest slog in the sport, a near-mile of grinding exertion divided into 15 laps of 100 meters apiece. As with every distance sport, pacing is all; lag your target time on the first two laps and you may never catch up, but accidentally beat it and you’ll load your tissue with lactic acid, doom your endgame. How fast was his last lap? How did it compare to his usual pace? His coach up on the pool deck could know, his parents in the stands could know. But Eisenhardt, at war in the water, could only guess." WASIK, BILL (2013)

http://www.wired.com/2013/12/wearable-computers/all/

This is very interesting and make me think how it will be the wearables technologies in the future, actually not so far from today. In my opinion, we are living the decade of Ubiquitous Computing so, this is a "marriage" that probably could make sense in different areas specially for healthcare but, let's have a look on what we are dealing nowadays.

1] Wristbans Xylobands

Light devices, like the ones from Xylobands – Wristbands integrated LEDs that can be controlled via radio technologies, are an excellent example of a wearable trend for festivals or concerts. In several Coldplay concerts the engagement with their fans were an magical experience. Yes, this is what we are talking about, live experience. I agree that we could this in a kind of "Immersive User Experience" for live audience environments which make the audience as a part of the show.

Coldplay - Paradise (Live 2012 from Paris)

In live events the LED wristband is controlled by radio creating lighting effects at a range from 200,000-150,000 people. It is compose by multiple flash patterns with RGB LED’s which can change to any colour. Can be programmed to create a vast array of amazing visual effects and images to compliment any live event. Can be RFID enabled to enhance the event with an integration with social media.

For more information:

http://www.xylobands.com

2] “The Pepsi Bioreactive Concert” – SXSW 2014

Another example of an "Immersive User Experience" is the liver performer in real-time created by Pepsi during the SXSW 2014. The audience was using lightwave wearable wireless devices to measure different user interactions — movement, audio levels and body temperature. The objective was to visualize in real-time the collected data of the dance energy from boys and girls. This is what we call "User engagement".

3] Narrative Clip

This small wearable camera is focus on a different trend – Collect moments that matter.
The key features are what makes this devices different from others, timeline with geotag and timestamp, explore the moments through a unique time-lapse, social media connection to share your moments and inspire other Narrative users, write captions personalisation and so one.

(Image source: rainews)

IOS Mobile Application:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/narrative/id722804868?mt=8

For more information:

http://getnarrative.com

4] Project POLE

A motion-capture sportswear with 9-axis motion sensors to track whole body movements. Combine with the app TRACKY+ it is possible to monitor the heart rate, movements captured by 3D rendering, body temperature and interpret the fitness or stress level, through the respiratory rate. My doubts here is more related wit other devices, the smartwatches. What is the environment for users get experience with this devices? e.g. The Strava app (Running and Cycling GPS trackers, Performance Analytics) actually now synchronise with Apple Watch and what we see from the different article is that are more related with outdoor experience instead of indoor fitness. My personal experience is only related with Gamin Fenix 2. The bluetooth connection between this watch and my smartphone when I am running in the mountains it is cool because I can see how is calling me during the activity, looking only to the screen of my watch.

http://www.coolwearable.com/tracky-motioncapture-sportswear/

(Image source: cool wearable)

Preorder in Indeigogo:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/projectpole-world-s-first-motioncapture-sportswear

As a researcher of healthcare technology, I am always looking forward for new and relevant ideas related, even if they are a prototype.

5] Fashion-Inspired insulin delivery

Designer: Designer: Devina Kothar

"Devina Kothari’s innovative solution for insulin delivery easily integrates into the user’s lifestyle with fashion-inspired wearable tech they can set and forget! It uses a closed-loop delivery method that detects blood glucose levels before slowly dispersing the appropriate insulin dosage. Not only automated, the process is also made pain-free by use of a micro-needle array where the diameter is smaller than that of a mosquito’s probe! Additionally, integrated bio-sensors detect any unusual fluctuation in the patient’s glucose levels, pulse rate and other metrics and will automatically notify the appropriate party in the event of an emergency."

http://www.yankodesign.com/2014/10/14/fashion-inspired-insulin-delivery/