Definition of wearable computer (wearable, body or wearable)

A wearable computer is a type of computer that can be worn on the body (on clothing or directly on the skin) and even under the skin. Some bibliographies extend the definition also to those computers that can be easily transported.

Synonyms: wearable computer, body-borne computers, wearable computer, wearable computer, body computer.

These wearable computers are often used in information technology, health monitoring systems, behavior modeling, etc.

Government organizations, military and health professionals have incorporated this type of computers mostly, but it is expected that they will quickly be introduced in home life as well.

These types of computers usually have a constant interaction with the user who uses them, although the user is not necessarily aware that he is carrying one all the time. In other words, the device does not need to be turned off and on regularly; It is clear that the battery charge is usually a great limitation in many of these devices.

Examples of wearable computers available in the home are smart watches or smartwatches (such as the Apple Watch launched in 2015), the Fitbit (a band that fits on the wrist and indicates distance traveled, number of steps, calories consumed…) , Google Glass glasses (which are mounted on the head to provide the user with the so-called augmented reality), etc.

If well designed, the wearable computer should be like one more «extension» of the body, easy to handle and inconveniencing the user as little as possible.

smart watch

Wearable computing is currently an area of ​​great research, with areas of study including user interface design, augmented reality, pattern recognition, etc. There is also a lot of research on the use of these computers by people with disabilities and as if this were not the case, little is being taken into account in the field of fashion. For example, garments have been created that change lighting depending on the configuration that we give them from the smartphone.

Among the developments in wearable computing are advances in Rehabilitation Engineering, outpatient intervention treatment, protection systems, and wearable defense systems.

History of wearable computers

– 1961. A small device that was hidden in the shoe in a cigarette box allowed cheating at roulette. It was invented by mathematicians Edward O. Thorp and Claude Shannon. They developed other versions in the following years.

– 1977. The HP company launches its algebraic calculator watch HP-01 that was adjusted on the wrist.

Algebraic calculator watch HP-01

– 1981. Steve Mann (known for inventing the webcam in 1994) built a backpack that included a multimedia device with text, graphics and a camera.

– 1989. The company Reflection Technology launches the Private Eye product, a device that was attached to the head and had a small screen. This product was used in other wearable devices such as student Gerald Maguire’s Student Electronic Notebook, Doug Platt’s Hip-PC and Carnegie Mellon University’s VuMan in 1991, none came to market, they were just research.

Private eye from 1989

– 1993. Private Eye was also used for Thad Starner’s device, based on Doug Platt’s Hip-PC system and built from a Park Enterprises kit, a Private Eye screen on loan from Devon Sean McCullough, and the Twiddler wired keyboard made by Handykey.

That year the augmented reality system known as KARMA (Knowledge-based Augmented Reality for Maintenance Assistance) from Columbia University was also introduced.

– 1994. Students at the University of Toronto invented a wrist computer, built using the modified HP 95LX Pocket PC and a one-handed Half-QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard and screen were strapped to the user’s forearm.

That same year DARPA begins the Smart Modular Program to develop wearable and wearable products.

– July 1996, «Wearables in 2005» was made based on DARPA. Individual-oriented computing was discussed.

– October 1997, the IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers is held in Cambridge, Massachusetts by Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, and Georgia Tech.

– 2000. The work of dr. Bruce H Thomas and Dr. Wayne Piekarski (conducted at the Body Computing Laboratory at the University of South Australia), a computer system called Tinmith to support augmented reality.

– 2002. Kevin Warwick’s Cyborg Project developed a necklace worn by his wife Irena, which was electronically linked to the nervous system using implanted electrodes; the color of the necklace changed from red to blue depending on signals in the wearer’s nervous system.

– End of 2000, Chinese manufacturers produce wrist mobile phones.

– Great advances are made in standards, such as Bluetooth, allowing improvements in the wireless interconnection of devices.

– 2007. The Fitbit Tracker from the Fitbit company is launched.

Fitbit

– Sep 2010. The sixth generation of the iPod Nano is launched with the possibility of using an accessory and thus wearing it as a bracelet.

– 2012. Inventor Mark Anthony Howe creates a hidden laptop that fits over a tooth in the mouth and would allow players to win at a roulette game. It is operated by biting a plate that allows timing of the events that occur.

– Sep 2013. Sony launches the Sony SmartWatch, an Android wrist smart watch.

– April 2013. Google begins selling prototypes of Glass Glass in the US, a device that fits the head similar to glasses. It allows to be used with voice commands.

Google Glass by Google

– January 2015. Intel announces Intel Curie for wearable applications, based on the Intel Quark platform. It is the size of a button, includes a 6-axis accelerometer, DSP sensor, bluetooth and controller for battery charging.

– April 2015, Apple launches its smart watch Apple Watch, with touch screen, apps and heartbeat sensor.