Future of Wearable Tech in the IoT Universe
The Future of Wearable Tech in the IoT Universe
There’s no doubt about it—people are addicted to technology. In fact, there are over 2.7 billion smartphone users today. Personal computers took over our everyday lives, followed by mobile phones that are now practically glued to our hands—and the technology keeps on evolving. If you’re wondering what the next big thing is going to be, the answer is very simple—wearable technology is slowly taking over, powered by the internet of things.
When it comes to connected wearable devices, there are around half a billion of them in the world today. The numbers keep increasing, and so do the functions of those devices. And every conversation about wearable tech revolves around the internet of things. The main reason for this lies in the untapped potential of these devices. Now, let’s see what’s the future of this technology and how we can benefit from it.
What Do We Use Wearable Tech For?
When you think about wearable tech, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Most people are going to say either a smartwatch or a fitness tracker. This shouldn’t surprise you since these are the two most common wearable devices at this moment.
Most consumers use smartwatches that are connected to their smartphones and serve as an extended screen that can show new notifications, emails or important news in situations where they can’t use their phones. The functions are limited, and the device itself can’t work independently of the mobile device.
In addition to this, another common device is a fitness watch that became quite popular as the movement for better physical health has dominated the world. Sitting on your coach is both bad for your health and frowned upon, so running is the new normal. With various options that can be found on the market, your wearable fitness device can help you stay in shape better than any technology that you used before.
In these two cases, a wearable device has improved our everyday life, so why aren’t we taking more advantage of it in other areas, as well?
How Can Wearable Tech Be Improved?
Well, the main reason is that wearable tech is still in the stage of development, and some additional tweaks are necessary. One of the biggest downsides of this new technology and the reason why this topic is so closely related to the IoT is the connectivity. Instead of smart devices communicating on their own and expanding the use they have, wearable tech still very much relies on either smartphones, WiFi networks or Bluetooth. Since it doesn’t function independently, issues with connectivity, data transfer, and data loss are important concerns for the customers.
Another issue that users are facing is related to usability. Compared to the desktop as well as mobile screens, wearable devices are often quite impractical. One issue is definitely the limited space they are operating on, and the habits of average technology users who have issues adapting to the changed modus operandi.
Although there is room for improvement when it comes to functionality, the most important thing to have in mind is the wide array of amazing possibilities wearable tech has to offer in combination with the IoT. Areas of application are emerging every day, and the world of technology as a whole won’t be the same.
What Is the Future of Wearable Devices?
In addition to the most common uses of wearable devices, the market is expanding in many different directions, such as transportation, security, banking, finances, and healthcare. Improved functions in combination with all of the possibilities that the IoT brings make wearable devices extremely useful in many areas of our lives, both business and personal.
Let’s say your device can detect your body temperature and figure out if you have a fever. Then, it can work together with the smart settings of your house, increase the room temperature, if required, turn on the air conditioner, even turn on your electrical tea-making device. Also, it can locate the nearest pharmacy or remind you to take vitamins and medicine.
While you are at it, why don’t you order soup from the nearest restaurant and let your boss know you won’t be coming to work tomorrow? And just to be on the safe side, let’s call mom, she’ll know what to do. You can do all that while driving, without putting yourself and other passengers at risk that often arises from using the phone while in traffic.
Once the technology catches up with the wonderful imagination of the human mind, wearable devices will become something you can’t imagine your life without.
How Can I Use Them for My Business?
The internet of things opens a world of possibilities by creating connections, enabling us to manage multiple devices at once, and making our everyday lives way easier. Although we usually think about personal uses, we shouldn’t neglect the impact this will have on the business world. Thinking ahead and considering innovative trends have always been the best indicator of a company’s performance and the manager’s ability to lead their teams.
If you choose someone who can be your partner and ally in the world of IoT, you can start implementing your out-of-the-box ideas in your business environment. Regardless of the industry, you are in, connecting platforms, software, and your employees can have a huge impact on your company’s overall performance. Don’t think of wearable devices as something that can remind your employees to drink their water. Think bigger.
Spend some time thinking about what are the limitations of your average worker, their tasks and obligations. Can processes be improved? Can your employees be more productive? How happy are they when they are working? Are they supporting the company’s mission? Do they get along well in their respective departments? Once you have pinpointed your problem, use the limitless possibilities of already existing technology, IoT and wearable devices to create a comprehensive solution that impacts everyone involved.
Technology is evolving, whether we want to admit it or not. The only thing we can do is use it to benefit our lives and to create a better society for everyone around us.
Co-Author: Ilija Acimovic
“I began my career with a degree in global economics and statistics but soon realized the unstoppable power of the 4th industrial revolution. I contribute to this field and a better-informed world by writing topics on technology, business, and cybersecurity.”
