Wearable tech is a form of computer technology that is worn on the human body and integrates computing with our daily lives. It includes a wide variety of products from watches, to hats, and to shoes that are equipped with sensors for collecting real-time data. The data is stored in the device and can be retrieved for further analysis. Some examples of wearable tech are:
In health care, wearables can be used to record and track important health information. It can also be used to motivate and encourage healthy lifestyle habits. The use of wearables can help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services, reduce costs, and increase patient engagement and empowerment.
However, the ability of wearables to empower users depends on several factors. A number of barriers have been identified, including privacy concerns, technical issues, and the need for support from health care professionals. These factors can limit the benefits of the devices and may even hinder their adoption.
To overcome these barriers, the use of innovative technologies is being developed. These include self-powered wearable sensors that harvest energy from sweat, wireless body sensor networks based on stretchable metamaterial textiles, and brain-inspired neuromorphic computing. Furthermore, the use of wearables can be expanded into other areas, such as augmented reality and virtual reality, to provide a more immersive experience for the user. These technologies can be used to monitor vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure. They can also be used to detect harmful constellations of symptoms or emergency situations and alert the relevant healthcare service.