Wearable Devices and Internet of Things: What The Future Holds

Is wearable tech still in its infancy?

Smartwatches and wearable tech are now on a different horizon. And, that’s possible because of how different technologies are working together to make them smarter. One such technology is the Internet of Things (IoT). It enables the devices to communicate and function through the network and make the best available resources and data.

If you consider the wearable tech market now, you will find Apple Watches at the top of the food chain. There are plenty of other players as well that are doing great, especially Samsung.

Turning Back The Timer

However, wearable tech is not confined to just smartwatches. The history of wearable tech goes back to the 1950s where Sony released their Sony TR-55 transition radio. It served as the template to the basic handheld design that can be witnessed in the current-gen devices.

Another gem of a device that changed wearable tech is the Walkman that was released in 1979. Walkman revolutionized how people listened to music on the go. It sold over 200 million units and paved the path to the more sophisticated yet powerful wearable tech future.

Wearable tech became more accessible and feasible in the 2000s where we saw the introduction of Bluetooth headsets, Fitbits, Nike iPod, and so on!

The 2010s is where wearable tech started showing exponential growth with the release of Google Glass in 2013, Apple Watch in 2015, and then the Oculus Rift Headset in 2016.

But why am I talking about the history of wearable tech? Well, that’s because it will help us learn about the future of wearable devices with IoT.

IoT: Catalyst For Futuristic Wearable Devices

Our world is connected where we can speak to anyone around the world without the need to be physically present at that place. The connected world offers a pool of data that can be used to improve the world around us.

Almost half of the world uses smartphones, and the number is going to increase in the coming years.

According to HP, by 2025, we will have more than 1.0 trillion connected devices!

Internet of Things(IoT) is the way forward. With IoT, all the devices are connected either wirelessly or wired. This concept is changing how we do business or share data in the network. With essential information, it improves the efficiencies of the whole network. Communication among peers can be automated to reach the desired level of trust and efficiency. So, machines can talk to each other through machine-to-machine technologies. This M2M tech can be used in transportation, energy conservation, and other useful sectors.

Smartwatches are also part of the ever-growing ecosystem of IoT devices. If things go as intended, we can surely see SuperWatches in the future that is capable of doing more than what the current generation of smartwatches is capable of.

What Does the Future Hold?

Wearable tech is still in its infancy. We can assert that from the fact that other technologies such as Artificial Intelligence(AI), Blockchain, and the Internet of Things are also rapidly evolving. So, it is obvious that with the growth of other technologies, we are going to witness how wearable tech is going to evolve.

IoT seems to have the biggest impact on wearable tech as it will enable the devices to connect with each other through the available connection mode that can be either WiFi or Bluetooth.

However, IoT is not free from challenges. The usability factor is one of the biggest concerns that companies need to solve before IoT and wearable tech can work simultaneously to improve user experience. 

So, what the future holds for wearable devices and IoT?

The future looks good! Many sectors, including banking, finance, transportation, healthcare, and security, are still growing, and they will always need IoT for success. With wearable devices become more versatile and valuable, they can provide the necessary functionalities to improve efficiency and effectiveness. For instance, the workers’ wearable devices can help them understand when they need to break and improve productivity.

Wearable tech, along with IoT, is still in its infancy. Right now, businesses can still wait and see how the landscape changes. However, it is wise to work towards the future now and connect with businesses or partners that are showing promise in the IoT and wearable tech world. Also, it is not always about improving productivity and looking towards other aspects of employee management, including health management.

So, what do you think about wearable devices and IoT’s future? Do share your insights in the comment section below.

References

• What the future holds for IoT (raconteur.net)
• Future of Wearable Tech in the IoT Universe - MosChip
• ConsumerLab report on Wearable Technology and IoT – Ericsson - Ericsson