Wearable technology that comes in handy
Given the sheer amount of technology people use, it can seem our devices are extensions of bodies. While most of us haven’t gone full cyborg just yet, wearable technology can supply us with important information and make our lives easier. Here are a few of our favorite wearables:
Nike Adapt BB shoes
Nike picked basketball to launch its Adapt platform, but the principle is the same for any sport involving running: Your feet change size because of increased blood flow during strenuous activity. A proper fit at the outset might become too tight as you go along. A motor and gear train inside the shoes senses tension and loosens or tightens the shoes to maintain a “perfect fit.”
Sensoria smart socks
Sensoria wants to help the 65 per cent of runners who injure themselves each year run better. The smart socks measure foot landing, pace, and interaction with shoes to help improve your form. This not only can decrease injury but also improve speed. Pressure sensors inform runners in real time whether they are landing on their heels (bad) or balls of the feet (good).
Zozosuit
Zozosuit isn’t a piece of fashion itself, rather the wearable technology helps design clothing custom-tailored to individual bodies. Using 3D body scanning, the Zozosuit’s 350-plus dots measure bodies with high accuracy. The Zozo app takes a dozen photos of the wearer then produces measurements to use in designing clothes in exactly the right size.
Ministry of Supply Mercury
Ministry of Supply has created the perfect jacket for any temperature. Nearly weightless built-in heaters kick on when the jacket’s thermostat tell them to. The exterior is crafted to repel wind, snow, and water. At the beginning of an early morning hike, the heaters will keep you warm, then shut off when your body heat rises and the sun comes out, creating the most micro of micro-climates.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
More than just a smartwatch or fitness tracker, the device comes loaded with yoga, running, and swimming apps plus other sports. It comes equipped with GPS, monitors fitness levels with VO2 max, and tests how the wearer handles stress. Garmin Pay is included and there are music-equipped options. And, yes, this wearable technology also tells time.
Tournicare
Adjustable to fit any arm size, Tournicare easily and accurately measures blood pressure. This can reduce healthcare costs and lead to better treatment and prevention, its Melbourne-based creators say. Not only does it make things easier for the elderly and physically challenged, it has the potential to help busy people with stressful lives who can’t get to the doctor regularly.
Teslasuit
A great way to enhance the experience of augmented reality, virtual reality, or mixed reality, the Teslasuit has haptic feedback that allows gamers to feel the sensation knocking into something or other customisable tactile experiences. It also features motion capture and a climate control system that can mimic hot or cold environments. The biometric tracking of stress and interest level can help determine how fun or engaging a game is.
OrCam MyMe
OrCam was founded to help people who are blind, visually impaired, or having difficulty reading. Its MyMe, however, is for people who have a hard time remembering faces. The MyMe uses facial recognition software to match faces with names. Say you’re at a business conference meeting dozens of new people. The MyMe snaps a photo of your new contact then allows you to enter his or name or take a photo of a business card. OrCam is taking pre-orders now, with shipment to start next year.
VisionBody PowerSuit
This piece of wearable technology affords users maximum flexibility while keeping dry during exercise. Its wireless electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) conditions and strengthens muscles during training by sending low-level impulses that reach even deep tissue not typically activated during normal workouts. Each PowerSuit contains 20 pulse patches made from Silverflex 7, a material inspired by astronaut suits. It won’t work out for you, but it will help get the most out of training.
Under Armour True Wireless Flash headphones
Under Armour partnered with JBL to develop these fitness-geared headphones with waterproofing to combat sweat and rain. They feature JBL Charged Sound with rich bass but still allow wearers to be aware of their surroundings and turn on noise cancelling, speech optimised microphones when they want to talk.
TCT3 Tag
Becker Mining teamed with Australia’s Katapult Design to create this device that tracks miners’ locations within mines in real time. This keeps miners out of the way of heavy machinery to prevent accidents and makes them easy to find in the event an accident does occur. Mines can be massive, dark, and labyrinthine, so keeping track of miners is vital for safety.
eHat Hard Hat
Katapult also worked with eHat Systems to design this smart hard hat that allows less experienced workers in the field to consult with remote supervisors via livestream. A built-in camera allows a connected supervisor to see what the field worker sees, enabling the supervisor to offer advice on a challenging problem without having to drop everything and rush out to the job site.
Nadi X yoga pants
From Wearable X, these pants come with a pulse that clips into a leg. The app features several yoga practices, and the pulse vibrates to let you know when your form is off. For business travellers who don’t always have time to find a studio and get to a class on the road, these machine washable pants are heaven-sent.
Upright Go
Upright knows that a lot of us slouch at our desks. The Upright Go attaches to your upper back with hypoallergenic adhesive. It can vibrate gently to alert you when you’re slouching or simply track your posture in an app to let you know how well you’re doing if the vibration becomes too much.
Somnox Sleep Robot
OK, so you don’t technically wear the world’s first sleep robot, but you do hold it all night like a body pillow. Somnox regulates breathing to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Pulsing at a breathing rhythm, Somnox trains your body to breathe at the same rate, relaxing you into a deep sleep. It can be set to turn off after a certain time and has modes for napping or just relaxing as well. There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to prepare for a productive work day.
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