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Let’s Talk Wearable Tech – Its Past, Present, Future, Form & Function

zengirl2

Hi, I'm Leslie Birch and I'm a big fan of wearable tech and tech art.  I'm sure this stems from a childhood of sci-fi.  Whether it's a glowing umbrella from "Bladerunner",  a bionic eye from "The Six Million Dollar Man", a NASA glove, or a particle generating outfit in Second Life, I want to understand it and build it.  Thanks to Arduino, any of us can build a "wearable", and this term seems fresh to us.  However, we've had wearables for much longer than you might imagine.


Wearable technology has been with us since the 16th century with the advent of the abacus ring. It’s been a long evolution, one that has showed signs of wearable technology becoming a bigger part of our future for a long time. There was the pocket watch in 1762, and then the wristwatch in 1907. As time progressed, wearable technology surfaced in pop culture, demonstrating that creators were thinking of ways to bring it into the future. Some of you may remember *** Tracy’s two-way wrist radio, the precursor of the modern smartwatch. Today wearable technology is no longer something we’re imagining as part of the future. It’s in our face with Google Glass,  which allows us to literally see the world through a different lens. It's in our clothing with the Twitter Dress (Twitter Dress | CUTECIRCUIT), proving our status.  And that’s not all, the NFC Ring, created by John McLear, unlocks doors and mobile phones and transfers information.

 

Today I just learned that someone has created a battery woven into fabric (Batteries Woven Right Into Fabric Boost Wearable Tech - IEEE Spectrum). Woot!  It's only going to get better from here, so let’s share perspectives on where we’ve been, where we’re going and what it means for all of us.  Can you tell I'm excited??  Over the next two weeks, until December 13th, we’ll be talking about:

 

  1. Why Wearable Tech? How has it evolved and what’s in it for you?
  2. Wearable Tech: Tech, Fashion, Art, All of the Above or None of the Above? Is Wearable Tech just a toy to engineers or does it have a function?
  3. Current Uses
  4. What’s Next?
  5. How can we Improve it?


Please join the third conversation in our series, "Current Uses" today!

 

Get your LED's blinking -- I look forward to a spirited discussion!

  • Hi Leslie,

     

    Interesting stuff! One point-of-view that I've missed in the past is that of consuming more electronics and the tons of e-waste coming from that. It would be nice if you could touch on that subject too, like how Wearable Tech could be recycled, what the environmental impact will be of putting batteries in everything, or how that could be done better in future (less electronics? More integration? New ways of energy storage?)

    If you're looking for some reading material, please see ifixit.com and Adam Minters new and incredibly informative book "Junkyard Planet"!

     

    Greetings,

    Victor

  • Hi Leslie,

     

    As you say, the future of wearable technology is wide open.

    I would point out though that just about everything you are currently wearing has probably been improved over the years by technology.

    I have seen the potential for "embedding" technology at a larger level into the very clothing itself.

    I remember the shoe phone gags, ink pens bouncing audio off satellites for world wide communication.

    With the current technology levels, it is very possible to build MCU, memory, sensors and a body level wifi into everything we wear.

    The potential is only limited by our ability to envision and implement.

     

    I look forward to your series.

    DAB


  • in reply to vsluiter

    Hey Victor,

     

    So glad you joined in on this conversation as Linda was the other winner for the wearables competition.  image  Please tell her that I got the parts to make her gift, and hopefully I'll be posting stories about that adventure.  As for your suggestion about the green element of tech, I'm right with you.  We've probably seen the same documentaries on this topic, too.  If you don't mind waiting, I would certainly love to discuss this topic when I post about improvements.  I think with all of the engineers here, there could be some contenders for solutions concerning the circle of sustainability.  In the meantime, enjoy the holiday with your family and friends.  I'm off to bake a vegan pumpkin swirl cheese pie.

  • Thanks Leslie!

     

    We look forward to some very interesting discussions during the next two weeks!

     

    I'm very excited to see the first discussion in the series, "Why Wearable Tech?".

    It looks like it's getting great response!

     

    Best,

    Lauren

     

    Global Marketing Community Manager
    element 14

  • Hi,

    Excellent to see that we are all looking and reaching out for a better way..

    Just read this amazing article..

    “In the coming decade, wearable technology will touch nearly every aspect of our lives. It will allow us to bring the power of the Internet to everything we do.” –Marcus Weller, Ph.D.

    http://medcitynews.com/2013/11/10-top-wearable-technology-design-principles/

    it is a excellent article about a bike rider who is driving to make bike riding safer.

     

  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Hey, Laureen,

     

    Great article!  The writer's helmet sounds smart and I really liked the outline of principles.  I especially like the one that talks about not demanding attention so people can stay in the moment.  On the bus, I'm always bombarded by cell phones going off and listening to other people's phone conversations.  I probably need to get those silencing earphones just for my rides.  Anyway, while in NY at a wearable tech conference, I got to meet someone working on a similar idea with a bicycle helmet, and I believe it gathers info from other riders as well.  I'll post more info when I get to the related question.  So, the big question, what would you like to see invented?

  • Hi Leslie,

     

    I loved the umbrella. You did an awesome job with it.

     

    I've been messing around with some of the neopixels for a holiday scarf and some mixed media artwork. I need to get a few neopixel rings before the Olympics. I'm hoping that a high school girl that grew up with my son will make the para-olympic ski team.

     

    Nice to see you will be here for the next couple of weeks.

     

    Carol

  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Carol, awesome to see you here. Love those neopixel rings.  Our friend, Brooks, visited me recently with her Ironman arc reactor ala Adafruit.  She created it rather quickly at her hackerspace with the ring and a paper cup for the bottom, of all things.  She made hers a bit bigger than the tutorial in order for it to be man sized.  As for your work, can't wait to see an Olympic piece -- I hope she gets in!

  • in reply to zengirl2

    Hi everyone,

    I just wanted to let you know that Leslie is in New York today cohosting the "Wearable Electronics with Becky Stern" show. Watch her live at 2 EST.

    If you can't watch her live, make sure to watch the recording on YouTube.

     

    Leslie will probably be offline today, but she will return tomorrow:)

     

    Lauren

  • in reply to lbittner

    Hello all,

     

    Hello all,

     

    Thanks for participating in our first Expert Event. Leslie Birch is no longer available to answer questions about the wearable technology, so we encourage your wearable tech questions in the Arduino Group.

    Best,

    Lauren Bittner
    element14