A wearable computer is a diminutive computing device designed for accessory-like placement on a user’s body, notably the wrist.
Wearable computers can serve specific purposes, like fitness trackers, or encompass a broad range of capabilities, similar to smartphones, as exemplified by smartwatches employing numerous “smart” functionalities.
More sophisticated wearable computing devices enable users to peruse and respond to emails, send text messages, browse the internet, access photos or videos, and receive social media notifications.
Usually, wearables are affixed to the wrist (resembling smartwatches), fastened to the arm, positioned on the head, or suspended from the neck.
Examples of wearable computers:
Smartwatches are contemporary devices that incorporate a local touchscreen interface to facilitate daily usage. They typically possess WiFi/Bluetooth capabilities to establish connectivity with smartphones and collaborate with dedicated smartphone applications for specific functionality.
Fitness tracking bands, worn around the wrist, feature a display that presents essential fitness and health information, including heart rate, calories burned, and the total number of steps taken in a day.
Smart glasses, exemplified by “Google Glass” developed by Google, hold the potential to offer users an augmented reality experience.
The original wearable computer, known as the “Digital Eye Glass” (EyeTap), was invented by Steve Mann during the late 1970s. This visionary device enhances vision by transforming the human eye into both an electronic camera and a television display.
In the embedded video below, Steve Mann, PhD, widely acknowledged as the “father of the wearable computer,” discusses the realm of Wearable Computing and the Veillance Contract.
