Maybe you have not noticed, but wearable tech devices are getting more and more popular. Even if you’ve had a fitness tracker or smartwatch for years, you might still be surprised at how fast the wearable technology is growing nowadays. In fact, we are now entering an entire industry of wearables that are designed to help us live healthy and safe lives. But the revolution won’t stop there.
So, will wearable tech kick off in 2021? In our opinion: YES. Here are some thoughts on the future of wearable tech devices.
Examples Of Wearables From the here and now
Fitness trackers may be one of the most recognizable examples of wearables, but let’s take a quick look at some other examples:
Smartwatches:
Apple Watch and other smartwatches are designed to generally make our lives easier. Specifically, they monitor our health and activity so that we can make better lifestyle choices. In fact, the quality of health data gathered by these smartwatches is so good. Reports claim that the Apple Watch can possibly add two years to your life.
Smart clothing
The term wearable doesn’t just apply to something you strap onto your wrist; it can also extend to intelligent clothing. Take Neviano smart swimsuits as an example. These include a waterproof UV sensor that communicates with your smartphone to tell you when UV levels are high. So, you should slap on some more sunscreen.
Smart glasses:
Fancy some smart sunglasses to go with your smart beachwear? You’re in luck. Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 comes with a built-in camera that allows you to snap photos and videos directly from your glasses. The glasses link to a smartphone, so you can share your photos and videos via the Snapchat app. Many other companies are also developing their smart glasses, notably Google and Apple.
Exoskeletons Will Transform The Industry
Exoskeletons are robotic suits that humans wear to boost their physical abilities. These suits often see in sci-fi movies, but they are actually available now. Some manufacturers use them to help human workers perform better. For example, lift heavier objects without injury.
Hyundai Motor Group has been testing its Hyundai Vest Exoskeleton. Which helps to reduce pressure on workers’ necks and backs. Hyundai says exoskeletons help to reduce injuries in the workplace and increase worker efficiency. It’s likely that exoskeletons will become the norm in manufacturing and industrial settings around the world.
Prosthetics will become more intelligent
Wearable technology also encompasses the new wave of prosthetics and robotic limbs currently being developed. These are increasingly being kitted out with technology that enables the limb to become more intuitive. For example, these parts may act automatically by responding to the nervous system or brain signals.
MIT’s Media Lab is involved in a research project that combines special amputation surgery with intuitive prosthetic development. Special robot prosthetics are being designed for volunteers. The aim of this project is that volunteers will be able to operate their prosthetics via the nervous system. In the future, these intelligent prosthetics , which respond to the individual’s commands more intuitively, will be widely used among users worldwide.
Labs will be 3D printing human tissue
If we can create replacement limbs, why shouldn’t we create replacement organs? Researchers are already working towards this goal. In one example, a team at Rice University in Houston claims to have made a significant breakthrough in the bioprinting of viable human tissue. Giving hope that it will be possible to print fully working replacement organs in the future.
This, combined with advances in robotics and prosthetics, could benefit the world of medicine. So, if you need a heart transplant in the future, it’s possible that you could be given a choice between a robotic heart or a lab-grown heart.
Artificial Intelligent (AI) will support the Human Brain
Companies like Facebook are racing to develop brain-computer interfaces that could, in theory, allow you to type in your Facebook status update using only your mind. Elsewhere, Elon Musk’s Neuralink company is working on a brain-computer interface that would help people with severe brain injuries. Announcing the plans in 2019, Musk predicted a future in which humans could have the option of “merging with AI.”
A Cashless Society Is on its way
Alongside wearable teach devices, the virtual wallets are also developing rapidly. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay are the most popular virtual wallet services today. In fact, more and more people are using online or NFC payments for their purchase instead of cash. As long as you have your debit/credit or any virtual wallets linked with your smart devices, including wearable ones, you have instantaneous access to all your cash holdings. Convenience isn’t the only benefit. A lower crime rate, secure international payment, or less effort in managing paper money are also among the advantages that we will get.
How Wearable Tech Will Kick Off in 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the pressing need for countries to focus more on elevating science, technology, and innovation (STI) in both policy and practical terms. The pandemic also drives leaders to ensure that the development benefits of STI translate directly into the daily lives of people all over the world. More than ever, we need more research, collaboration, data, and knowledge sharing to cope with the impacts of the coronavirus crisis and go beyond it.
In fact, big technology companies are putting more effort into researching new devices that can improve and protect human health. With all the mentioned advantages that they bring, wearable tech is also a big part of this research. Therefore, it’s no surprise that you will witness a big revolution in both the quantities and quality of these devices next year.
The Verdict.
And that is how we think wearable tech will kick off in 2021. However, these are just our personal predictions. We will have to wait for a while in order to see how this turns out.
How about you, what do you think about the future of wearable devices? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
