What is Wearable Technology?

What is wearable technology anyway? Well, look around! From the basic fitness trackers and highly-advanced sports and smartwatches, to virtual and augmented reality headsets, wearables are everywhere. The devices use sensors to connect to human users. The sensors collect data that can help you to multitask, reach your fitness goal, improve your sleep, make you a better employee, and so much more. Commuters, caregivers, kids, and everybody in between are jumping on the wearables bandwagon. Read on to see what all the hype is about!

How Can Wearable Technology Help Consumers?

Wearable technology can add convenience, wellness, and even style to a person’s life. Though small, these devices can have a big impact on end users’ lives. 

Convenience and Productivity of Wearable Technology

Everyday tasks like calling, texting, and navigating are streamlined with wearable technology. Eliminate the need to glance at your map app on a road trip by enabling voice services on your smart watch to give you step-by-step direction. Have your texts read out loud if you’re busy baking in the kitchen. And multitasking is a breeze with the ability to have a hands-free phone conversation wherever you are!

Wellness of Wearable Technology

The bygone days of step counting have been replaced by advanced fitness trackers. Wearable technology for wellness can range from smart rings, smart jewelry, smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart clothing, and more. These developments have helped consumers understanding sophisticated health data including heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and blood pressure measurement. 

Style of Wearable Technology

While it plays a far less significant role compared to productivity and wellness, fashion is one of the most appealing aspects of wearable technology. The Apple Watch has been the hottest accessory for years now with no signs of slowing down. From black tie to BBQ, there are an abundance of trendy interchangeable wristbands that pair well with the sleek watch face. In addition to its physical appearance, wearable technology also sends a powerful visual message that you value your wellness and care about staying up-to-date.

How Can Wearable Technology Help Professionals?

Not only are wearables personal devices, they can also aid in professional life. Office employees as well as healthcare providers are leading the charge in professional adoption of wearable devices.

Wearable Technology in the Office

Wearable technology continues to grow in popularity around the office. From cubicle to cubicle, professionals are utilizing the devices to improve their work performance (psst, there’s even technology that claims to help improve posture!). Let’s dive into four ways wearables can help office professionals enhance their capabilities and competencies:

1. Risk elimination
   Wearables like smart glasses can identify blind spots and warn employees of potential danger, thus mitigating risk.
2. Extending productivity
   Wristbands can detect elevated heart rate or electrodermal activity (perspiration). This allows employees to take mindful breaks before their performance or productivity degrades.
3. Competence elevation
   Wearables can elevate employees’ competences in two ways: First, by familiarizing employees to the environment in which they work (smart earphones eliminate noise and speech defects to reduce information distortion). Second, by providing employees with feedback on their performance (smart watches can alert users of stressful situations, motivating employees to avoid such instances).
4. Enriching and expanding work experiences
   Wearable technology adds knowledge and depth to office settings that is unique to the smart devices—there is nothing else like it!

Wearable Technology in Healthcare

The healthcare industry is always searching ways to improve so that more people can receive expert care. Enter wearable technology. These smart tools have become trusted sidekicks to healthcare professionals.

1. Encourage Exercise
   It’s estimated that 20% of all healthcare costs result from lack of consistent exercise and lack of sleep. By using wearable tech to encourage more exercise and better sleep patterns, this will help patients become healthier and reduce strain on the healthcare system.
2. Reduced Insurance Premiums
   Insurance companies know the value of wearable technology. Some providers have even started offering discounts as an incentive to use them.
3. Slow Spread of Germs
   Wearable devices worn by healthcare providers can monitor wellness and activity levels. This information can prevent employees from returning to work before they are fully recovered, while also providing a more realistic insight into when they can return to work.
4. Fewer Sick Days
   The health insurance company Humana began offering its employees wearables to earn rewards for reaching fitness activity goals. A three-year study of employees who participated in this program showed a 44 percent decrease in the number of sick days taken.

The Future of Wearable Technology

Do you want to work harder, or do you want to work smarter? Wearable apps present growing opportunities, helping you explore uncharted territories in your personal and professional life. What will you do with the power of wearable technology?

Engineers at Sunflower Lab are always eager to work with the latest trends, and this motivation has led to years of experience. By integrating your business with a custom application for wearables, you can rest assured that you are capitalizing on one of the fastest-growing and most promising sectors of the technology industry. And by working with Sunflower Lab, you can have the confidence that you are getting top-of-the-line treatment and technology. Contact us today!