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Why Wearable Tech? How has it evolved and what's in it for you?

zengirl2

DAB,

 

Good to see you again -- I feel like I have a great wizard watching over me. image  You bring up a good point about tech producing the clothing vs. tech embedded in the clothing.  Both are very exciting areas right now, and I just met someone at a wearables panel in NY that is working with algorithms to create patterned fabrics.  There are so many ways to plug in now, whether it is the idea, design, production or packaging.  Your examples of the pen and phone gadgets are especially dear to me as I've visited the Spy Museum in Washington, DC.  Chances are, if you've seen it in a movie, it probably has its origins in surveillance!  I can only imagine where that field is headed, and if anyone has seen any interesting devices at a conference, I'm all ears (joke intended).  Well, enjoy the holiday and set the projects aside long enough to have some stuffing.

  • Okay, let’s kick our discussion off with the obvious question:  Why wearable tech?  What’s in it for you? 

     

    You may laugh, but my husband remembers having a Motorola bag phone back in the day.  Having something wireless and portable was seen as an advantage; it was something that improved your life.  Nowadays when people think of products improving their lives, they often refer to qualities such as faster, smarter and easier.  What other qualities come to mind for you?  A wireless phone is a great example, because it is probably the most widely used form of wearable tech, perhaps even replacing the watch.  Yet, when it was born, I’m sure there were naysayers.  Take a look at the history of the cell phone.  How has your phone changed your life?  Are there any negative points?  Right now I only have one friend who has downsized his phone to a prepaid call only variety. I know one of his reasons was cost, but what about the idea of connectivity?  How connected do we want to be?  Do the positives outweigh the negatives?  Last week I learned about a new product https://offpocket.com/ that works as a shield protecting your phone’s privacy.  So, apparently some people prefer deciding for themselves when they are connected.

     

    If you try to look at the history of wearable tech, it's a fuzzy area.  Are we referring to wearable computers, t-shirts that have LED’s, or pacemakers?  One of the more interesting timelines I found on wearable computing lists influences as well as inventions. It makes me wonder what future books on human computer interaction will hold.  The point is, ideas have a beginning, whether they are something fanciful from Ray Bradbury or something scientific from Stephen Hawking. Sometimes it may not be apparent how these ideas are connected, but if we relate them to our lives, we can surely find the answer.  Why are doughnut shops found in gas stations now?  Why have disposable contact lenses?  The answers are much the same for the wearables industry.  The very act of us discussing them may even lead to an idea.  So, let us carry on! 

     

    What do you want from wearable tech?  Are there any inventions that you feel strongly about?  Remember that searching the web has bias, so please do share inventions and products that are overlooked.  Part of the beauty of this forum is that we really represent a slice of the world.

     

    image

  • in reply to zengirl2

    For many decades, my main article of Wearable Tech is the Pocket Protector AKA Nerd Pack.  Mine usually has three different pen colors (black, blue, red or orange) plus a couple of paper clips.  Going to a store and asking where they keep the nerd packs is always embarrassing -- something like buying lingerie -- so these days I make my own nerd pack from the plastic badge carrier supplied by the Embedded Systems Conference image

  • in reply to johnbeetem

    Hmmm, that sounds like a fun item to hack.  I wonder if a heart rate monitor or something else would work there.  Or maybe a small magnet to keep the paperclips handy image.  I've seen some fun things done with duck tape.  You might be able to add some color to your plastic badge.  I wonder how many people are still using the pocket protector...

  • in reply to zengirl2

    Leslie Birch wrote:  I wonder how many people are still using the pocket protector...

    I'm sure there are dozens of us.  A nerd pack is only obvious if it's in your shirt pocket, but then you look like Malvin (Eddie Deezen) in War Games (1983).  I keep mine hidden in a pant pocket.

  • Hi Leslie,

     

    Yes, you never can tell when I will see a post and take a peek.

    Plus I like the way your are progressing as a maker.  I have seen your confidence grow a lot in the last few months.

    So I will keep an eye on you and offer help if I can.

     

    DAB


  • in reply to johnbeetem

    It sounds like it would be uncomfortable when you sit, unless the pens were retractable like mini umbrellas. I guess that is why the man purse got invented image.

  • in reply to jvdberg@ieee.org

    Johan,

     

    Thank you for giving us an example from the Netherlands.  This is such a thoughtful piece, as I can attest that sensors are uncomfortable to the skin since I recently had a heart test.  I can only imagine how plush the fabric feels, and I've heard that premature babies can actually lose their skin just through touching.  So, the choices made here are very critical.  Here in Philadelphia there is someone working with an industrial knitting machine to create embedded sensors for pregnant women. These are both great examples of soft circuits.  At a summer workshop, I got to see stainless fiber being incorporated into felting work so it could be combined with electronics.  Felt is not as soft, but it certainly makes for some fuzzy designs.  Have you tried experimenting with some wearables yourself?

  • in reply to zengirl2

    Leslie Birch wrote:

     

    It sounds like it would be uncomfortable when you sit, unless the pens were retractable like mini umbrellas. I guess that is why the man purse got invented .

    Wearable tech has always been uncomfortable.  Take a look at the Arms and Armor exhibit at a major museum.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has an excellent collection.  The workmanship is amazing, but then the military sector has always been able to pay for top-quality craftsmanship.

  • in reply to johnbeetem

    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