IoT: Wearable Technology
Discovery - IoT
The “internet of things” (IoT) is becoming an increasingly growing topic because of the potential impact on how we live and also how we work. The broadband internet is widely available, more devices are being created with Wi-Fi capabilities and sensors built into them. The term (IoT) refers to devices that collect and transmit data via the Internet a network designed to connect physical objects to the web. The IoT potential economic impact could range between 3.9 to 11.1 trillion by the year 2025, or 11% of the world’s economy. The Internet of things is pegged as the next industrial revolution or the next internet because it will be the future of the way businesses, governments, and consumers interact with the physical world. Amongst the internet of things is wearable technology, these devices are shaping the future of technology.
Internet of things(IoT)- Wearable Technology
Within two decades, Smartphones will be replaced by wearables because the Virtual Assistant and the IoT networks they operate through will take over many of the functions smartphones handle today, reducing the need to carry around an increasingly powerful supercomputer. Future VAs will be able to collect extreme amounts of data and act as a guardian will assume a deeper role as a virtual confidant and friend, they will replace virtual search engines in most cases. Their goal will help live a seamless life.
Wearables today, are most worn by a small niche of health –fitness “selfers” it is safe to say wearables have not taken the world yet. Some drawbacks include they aren’t as user friendly, battery life is unapprehensive, most rely on the use of the smartphone, and limited interaction with the environment. When future wearable achieves these qualities, their prices and learning curve would not be an issue. Between, 2015 and 2025, the technology will gradually become cheaper, energy efficient, and more versatile. As a result, more sophisticated wearables will have applications available in factories, outdoor work places, military and domestic emergency personnel. Workers in factories wear “smart hardhats” that allow management to remotely keep tabs on whereabouts, as well as ensure safety from overly mechanized workplace areas. Smart glasses will be able to overlay information about workers surroundings. Professions that require active use of two gloved hands whom may operate outdoors can make regular use of smartphones impractical- will wear wristbands or badges. In a high crisis situation, communication between combat military or emergency workers is vital. Smart glasses and badges will allow hands-free communication alongside a steady stream of situation/context relevant intel from HQ, aerial drones, and other sources. The simple useful applications single purpose wearables can have in professional settings. In fact, it has been proven that wearables increase workplace productivity and performance.
Wearables after the internet of things will have microscopic sensors built-in become widespread, everything will begin to broadcast data. Wristbands will make it easier to interact with the future virtual assistant. For example, user authentication feature will mean the virtual assistant will always know the owner. Will simply raise the wrist band near the mouth and speak to the VA, making the interaction faster and no need to type a password for access. Web browsing and social features of the future wristband will project a light-based or holographic screen onto the wrist or external flat surface to interact with. The ability to browse website, check social media, view photos, and use basic utilities. That said, advanced wearables will likely also bring advance interface types, such as, voice search. The growth of wearables will be slow and gradual, mainly because there’s so much innovation left in smartphone development. Throughout the 2020s, wearables will continue to develop in sophistication, public awareness, and breadth of applications to the point that IoT becomes commonplace by the early 2030s, sales will begin to overtake smartphones in much the same way smartphones overtook sales of laptops and desktops during the 2000s. In general, the impact of wearables will be to reduce the reaction time between a human want or needs and the webs ability to meet these wants or needs.
Former CEO of Google and current chairman of the Alphabet, once said, “The internet will disappear”. By which he means the web will no longer be something you constantly need to engage with through a screen, instead, like the air being breathed or the electricity that powers a home, the web will become a highly personalized, integrated part of life. The wearables that will win the market will support meaningful services, like safety, that encompass services that enhance life. The current adoption rate of wearables is growing, wearables will be less about hardware and more about the platform on the device.
Overall, Wearables offer convenience can be completely hands-free which can be significantly important as more enterprises will start using wearables to enhance employee performance, especially those who work in the field. Faster communication in real time to a colleague elsewhere and solve a problem faster.