Wearables
Wearables for your four legged friend
The growth in consumer wearables over the last few years has been well documented. The commonality of devices such as the Fitbit, Jawbone, Apple Watch and Misfit Shine - to measure personal parameters such as heart rate, steps taken in a given day and even stress levels - have given us an unprecedented insight into our current condition and a potential heads-up on any imminent health issues.
Tackling rugby concussions
A student at Nottingham Trent University has developed a new wearable device that warns rugby referees if a player needs to be medically examined. George Russell, 21, who’s studying a BSc in Product Design, created the device after his brother underwent MRI scans after developing concussion twice while playing rugby. Russell’s device can prevent players carrying on in the heat of battle after suffering a dangerous knock to the he...
The extended wearability of exosuits
Menlo Park, California-based SRI International has news about its robotics project known as Superflex, which is a suit to enhance the human musculoskeletal system. The company announced Superflex, Inc. as a spinoff venture in April. SRI International said "Superflex will develop cutting-edge wearable robotics to enhance the human musculoskeletal system." Signe Brewster on Friday wrote about the suit in MIT Technology Review.
Will conductive inks help wearables go truly wearable?
The first generation of wearable devices are constructed using mature, rigid technologies put inside a new box that can be worn. These are often bulky devices that are not truly wearable in the sense that our clothes are. This is, however, beginning to change... albeit slowly. New conformal, clothing-based components are emerging. By Dr. Khasha Ghaffarzadeh, Research Director, IDTechEx.
Wearable system aims to predict asthma attacks
Researchers have developed an integrated, wearable system that monitors a user's environment, heart rate and other physical attributes with the goal of predicting and preventing asthma attacks. The researchers plan to begin testing the system on a larger subject population this summer.
Stretchable circuits could yield next-gen wearables
The consumer marketplace is flooded with a lively assortment of smart wearable electronics that do everything from monitor vital signs, fitness or sun exposure to play music, charge other electronics or even purify the air around you - all wirelessly. Now, a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers has created the world's fastest stretchable, wearable integrated circuits, an advance that could drive the IoT and a much more connected, hig...
Wearable biosensor monitors electric signals in the body
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed the first flexible wearable device capable of monitoring both biochemical and electric signals in the human body. The Chem-Phys patch records electrocardiogram (EKG) heart signals and tracks levels of lactate, a biochemical that is a marker of physical effort, in real time.
Smart shoes help you explore destinations
easyJet has unveiled a prototype smart shoe - named the ‘Sneakairs’ - which with their built-in technology could help customers explore new cities with ease, enabling them to take in their surroundings without getting lost. The revolutionary smart shoe incorporates a technology which connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone app which uses phone’s GPS and directs the wearer which way to walk by triggering small vibrating sensors wi...
IoT solution optimises athlete & team performance
Analog Devices, Microsoft and Hexoskin have collaborated regarding a unique, wearable IoT solution for athlete and team performance management. The IoT solution allows coaches and team staff to monitor player information such as motion, heart rate and other useful health and performance metrics from sensor-equipped vests worn by players.
Sensors driving next-gen wearable devices
Last week IDTechEx gave the opening presentation at the 2016 Korea Summit for Smart Wearable Devices, hosted by KDIA and KSA in Seoul, Korea. Wearable sensors once again dominated discussion throughout the day, with latest examples of options in MEMS, textiles and more presented at length in the conference. Additional discussions throughout the day extended to topics like glucose sensing (including enzyme-free examples), sensor fusion and beyond....