AR Wearables And Wearable Technological
Augmented Reality is simply the process of superimposing virtual visual information within the real world. This technology has become increasingly popular, and due to technical advances, it can be applied to various fields and processes, ranging from consumer entertainment to industrial use cases.
Currently, three main types of Augmented reality are being used to support various processes and operations: Tablet AR, wearable AR, and projection-based AR. In this short guide, we will explore how augmented reality wearables drive innovations, as well as the different fields and sectors in which they are in use today. Let’s kick off by understanding what wearable AR is.
What are AR Wearables Devices?
Wearable technology is any electronic device that is designed to be worn on a user’s body. Such devices can take on many form factors, including jewelry, medical devices, accessories, and clothing.
The most sophisticated examples of wearable technology include artificial intelligence (AI) hearing aids, Google Glass and Microsoft’s HoloLens, and a holographic computer in the form of a virtual reality (VR) headset.
An example of a less complex form of wearable technology is a disposable skin patch with sensors that transmit patient data wirelessly to a control device in a healthcare facility. AR incorporates three elements: a combination of digital and physical worlds, interactions made in real-time, and accurate 3D identification of virtual and real objects.
Augmented reality either makes visual changes to a natural environment or enhances that environment by adding new information. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including gaming, product visualization, marketing campaigns, architecture and home design, education, and industrial manufacturing, among others.
How Does Wearable Technology Work?
Modern wearable technology falls under the broad category of usability, including smartwatches. AR headsets, fitness trackers, web-enabled glass, smart jewelry, and Bluetooth headsets, among others.
However, wearables work differently based on their specific category, such as health, entertainment, and fitness. They function by incorporating batteries, microprocessors, and connectivity to the internet where data is synchronized.
Wearables are embedded with built-in sensors that track body movements and provide biometric identification or tracking. Most wearables are worn on the body or attached to clothing. However, others function without any contact with the user.
Common Types of Wearable Technology in Use Today
- Smartwatches – A watch that not only tells time but also provides users with notifications on their calls, messages, social media updates, and emails.
- Fitness Trackers – Helps in tracking the number of steps users walk each day and continuously monitor various functions of the heart. This information can be used to create fitness regimes, workout procedures, and meal plans.
- Head-mounted Displays – These devices will take you to a world of virtual reality by providing you with virtual information right in front of your eyes.
- Sport watches – These are wearable devices that are built for sports, for personnel who love running, swimming, and cycling, among other activities.
- Smart Jewelry – Designed to give relevant notifications to users when their phones are out of reach.
- Implantable – These wearable electronics are surgically implanted under the skin. These are usually used for medical reasons like tracking contraception, insulin levels, etc.
Why do we need wearable technology?
Simply put, wearable technology aims at influencing the fields of health, medicine, fitness, disability, aging, education, transportation, finance, enterprise, gaming, and music, among others. The goal of this technology is to smoothly enter our day-to-day lives and become an integral part of our ecosystem.
The hands-free nature of wearable devices makes them very useful for business and daily use. Tracking the emergency and rescue team becomes easy thus making the workplace more efficient and safer.
Hands-free access to important data and information through smart glasses and smart watches helps engineers, researchers, and technicians to be more efficient at their work.
Innovations and Future of Wearable Technology
Wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular and is set to have a big impact and revolution on our future. While most people are familiar with smart devices, fitness trackers, intelligent clothing, and AR headsets, among others, these are just the tip of the iceberg.
Consumer electronics, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, are prominent use cases for wearable technology.
The most current and next-generation applications of wearable technology include;
Epidermal Skin Technology
This is the next generation of wearables, where an ultra-thin e-skin patch can be attached to a wearer’s chest along with a smart wireless transmitter. It is sensitive enough to pick and record electro signals such as muscle movement and heartbeats. The collected data can be sent to healthcare providers to monitor vital organs remotely.
Health Monitoring
People are now using wearable technology to track and receive notifications on conditions such as heart rate and blood pressure. They can use data to gain more knowledge on their calorie burning, training regimes, among others.
Entertainment and Gaming
The gaming and entertainment industry has been a leader in the application of wearable technology. These industries have massively acquired headsets, smart glasses, and controllers, with popular ones being Oculus, Meta Quest, Quest, and Sony Playstation among others. All these devices are used for entertainment purposes including watching movies, gaming, and virtual traveling.
Fashion and Smart Clothing
Intelligent fashion has been widely gaining popularity over the last few years. Futuristic fashion concepts like Smart jackets, such as Levi’s jackets, are made with Google Project Jacquard technology. They have threads composed of electrical fibers to enable the wearer to answer calls, take photos, and play music right from their sleeves.
Sports and Fitness
Sports make use of wearable athletic devices that are built with incorporated technology. GPS and Bluetooth-linked devices relay real-time data to coaches and analysis.
All these are connected through electronic devices. Wearable technology such as Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Polar are all among us for daily use.
Besides industry-specific uses, many industries currently use AR apps to identify, track, and resolve technical issues. It can also help in other non-physical cases like marketing, advertising, entertainment, and events tools by allowing users to get information simply through their phones.
Round Up
The emergence of AR wearables continues to reshape the landscape of technological innovation. AR has massively expanded beyond its initial scope, finding applications across diverse sectors, including entertainment, healthcare, fashion, and sports.
AR wearables such as smart glasses, virtual headsets, and intelligent clothing are driving new innovations that transcend the realms of traditional consumer electronics. These wearables not only enhance our day-to-day experiences but also revolutionize many industries.
Now, it’s more possible than ever to have remote health monitoring, data-driven sports analysis, and immersive entertainment, among others.
As technology continues to evolve, the future looks more promising. We will have more intricate and impactful possibilities, backed by AR acting as a cornerstone for a technological revolution.
