Thursday 26 April 2007

History of Wearable Computing

Old Wearable Computer


Wearable Computers were first introduced in the 1500's with the pocket watch. The first wearable computer that fits into the 20th century image was a computer designed to predict Roulette Wheels, this was invented in 1961 by Edward O Thorpe. A data tracker hidden in his shoes would track the speed of the Roulette Wheels and the computer would indicate what to bet on.

In 1967, Hubert Upton developed a technology which allowed the person wearing the glasses to lip read, this was using the LED device.

Even in the 1980's and the 1990's wearable computers were being created.

Many people think that wearable computers can now be taken full advantage of as the technology has developed over the years and the wearable computers can now become more comfortable to wear and it will not be the case of devices hanging of the persons clothes.

Disadvantages of Wearable Computing:

There are many disadvantages of using Wearable Computing. Below are a list compiled by the author of this post.

- Equipment can be heavy

- Expensive

- Some Wearable Computers can consist of alot of wiring

- Can cause iritation in heat

- Side-Effects such as Headaches

- Wearable Computers can invade privacy

- Can be used to gain an unfair advantage over others such as Casinos

- Being tracked wherever you go

- Costly

- It may become easier to get data on an individual if the item is
lost/stolen

Advantages of Wearable Computing:

The advantages of Wearable Computers are:-

- Enhanced Communication

- Wearable Computers can be used to recognise a person in a high alerted area such as an airport.

- A personal Wearable will facilitate the wearers needs

- Unlikely to be dropped or lost as their are embedded to the clothes
as opposed to the handheld devices.

- Able to use wearable computers to complete daily tasks such
as a computer which tracks the movements and habits of a person.

- Flexibility

- Freedom

- Work from anywhere

- Convenience

- Makes tasks more easier such as Wearable Computers can be used by Surgeons (a Wearable Computer attached to their arms),which can allow data to be transferred to their computers, this can save time where the surgeons can look at the wearable for information, this will help improve the efficiency of an operation.

Here is a prime example of a great advantage of wearable computing. There is a special shirt developed by VivoMetrics to monitor patients at hospitals, and which can also be used to accelerate new treatment trials.

Future of Wearable Computing:


Wearable Computers would dominate in the near future, years ago you would not have thought that you could do some of the things you can do today as computers are getting smaller and more powerful they can be integrated into virtually anything.
Now you can class your mobile phone as a mobile computer as you can get phones that can be used take photos, surf the internet, msn messenger, mp3 player, video recorder, video playback, create documents, view documents, create games and many other things mobile phones are now more powerful than computers 10 years ago, you can do most of the things on a phone that you can do on a PC. This does not mean that the mobile phone itself will be a wearable computer in the future. We believe that all electronic devices will be able to communicate with each other and recognize who you are similar to minority report where eyes are scanned to welcome a person instead of scanning your eyes it will be scanning any electronic devices that you may be carrying, this would bring in to the picture security because then if you loose a device or it is stolen then if someone finds it they may be able to find out everything about you. It could also be used to track people this could work as a good and bad thing as if the police where tracking someone it could help but on the other hand if a stalker/murderer was tracking movements to find out when he can strike it could make it easier.

Below is a video of how wearable computers can be implemented in the future:





How Wearable Computing is being used?

Wearable Computers is being used by more people day by day such as:-

+ Shopping Jackets can be used to aid shoppers allowing them to browse the goods in the shops before even stepping foot into the shop. The computer would first verify what shop the person is closet to and then bring up the website for the shop.

+ Wearable Computers are used in Medical Establishments to use to analyse Data, monitor patients. This will allow the doctors to concentrate on the patients more then the computer screen showing details.

+ Airports are also using Wearable Computers to identify suspicious passengers using Face Recognition System.

SCOTTeVEST (SeV) claims that its functional and fashionable jackets are so innovative that they are even worn by the Secret Service. The jackets have up to 42 hidden, ergonomically designed pockets and are equipped with the still patent-pending Personal Area Network (PAN). The PAN allows users to carry and use electronic devices without the mess of dangling wires. SCOTTeVEST comes in different colors and designs, suitable for outdoor activities, business and personal travel. The newest product is the solar-panel prototype.


Where is Wearable Computing being used?

Emergency services

Many emergency services are able to use wearable computers such as the fire service who use them send and receive information from an accident site

Field services

Wearable computers can also make maintenance services more productive. A field technician wearing a computer can access useful technical instructions and schematics in order to rapidly solve problems while working, thanks to the hands free capabilities.

Healthcare

Medical and paramedical staff can use wearable computers to identify, in real time, a patient's clinical history in order to make a faster and more accurate clinical diagnosis. They can enable medical and paramedical staff to quickly access databases and, in the near future, to read medical data from electronic bracelets worn by patients. Wearable computers will be particularly useful in preventing errors due to medical record MIX-UPS or the misreading of a patient's data.

Queue busting

Wearable computers can serve as useful instruments when managing crowds for sporting or musical events, or in other busy places, such as airports, they can streamline the entire check-in process as well as facilitate the general monitoring of an individual's or a group's movements. In fact, a wrist worn computer allows employees to circulate among passengers to perform any necessary checks eliminating the need for a fixed terminal. In addition, this system can increase customer satisfaction by making staff operations more efficient without sacrificing security standards, staff will have quick access and full visibility of customers' data including: name, ticket number, seat assignment and baggage status.

Transportation and logistics

Warehousing


Computers with built in barcode readers may be used in warehouses they will reduce the amount of mistakes by warehouse pickers also it will reduce the amount of paperwork in warehouses as order will not have to be printed out they will be emailed to the picker on the computer it will also help management track the amount of work people are doing and how log tasks are taking

What is Wearable Computing?



Wearable Technology is a portable computer that is included into the space of a user, this can be worn anywhere around the body and can be hands free use. Wearable technology is controlled by the user which is operational and is always on and accessible. Particularly it is a device that is always with the user, the user is able to enter commands and execute a set of entered commands whilst the user is walking around or doing any other activity.

Wearable Technologies such as a Wearable Computer (WearComp), is more than just a wristwatch or regular eyeglasses: it has the full functionality of a computer system but in addition to being a fully featured computer, it is also inextricably intertwined with the wearer. This is what sets the wearable computer apart from other wearable devices such as wristwatches, regular eyeglasses, wearable radios, etc. Unlike these other wearable devices that are not programmable (reconfigurable), the wearable computer is as reconfigurable as the familiar desktop or mainframe computer.

Below are examples of Wearable Computing:-

- Glasses that use image to sound renderings (help blind people)
- Computers that can be used as a wrist watch
- Gloves that enable users to make music by waving/clapping hands (the hand band)
-Wrist watch television
-Computer built into shoes that automatically adjusts to support you


What is Pervasive Computing?

Pervasive computing is a model of computing in which computer functions are integrated into everyday life, often in an invisible way. The model requires both small, inexpensive computers and wired and wireless ("dumb") devices connected to larger computers. A household controlled by ubiquitous computing might have remote-controlled lighting, automated sprinklers, a home entertainment center, devices to monitor the health of occupants, and a refrigerator that warns occupants about stale or spoiled food products