Wearable Technology, it is nothing new

The latest and biggest buzz word around today is “Wearable Technology” and many companies are jumping on the bandwagon. But what is wearable technology?

To put it into simplistic terms, it is nothing more than wearing some form of microcomputer. Right off you are visualizing your desktop or laptop shrunk down to the size of a tie clasp or broach giving you all the computing power you need while being untethered to your desk. Well that part is a long way off. Or is it?

These micro computers have been designed to display the internet in a display you wear on a pair of glasses, or monitor your work out to show with sensors in clothing and display the data on a wrist display, even those that you wear on your clothing that will monitor your exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays. And a myriad of more coming down the pike. Seems like a lot of new innovations.

Dick Tracy and the wrist TV

Wearable technology was one of the focal points in an old cartoon character, Dick Tracy. Originally he had the two way wrist radio only in later years to have it advanced to a two way wrist TV. And this is long before laptops were invented. Even James Bond had wrist watches that were TV’s, lasers, hi powered magnets, and even remote controls for cars. Only now they are taking fiction and making it into reality.

Wearable Technology really started in 1954 when the first production transistor radio,

Regency TR-1 transistor radio.
Image from Wikipedia

the Regency TR-1 came about. Teenagers the world over now listened to their favorite tunes where ever they were soon to be replaced with Walkman’s, portable CD players, MP3 players and the famous iPod. We have used blue tooth headsets for years with our cell phones or office phones. Some people have worn devices on their wrists to monitor the heart rate during a workout that also calculate how many calories were expended and how much fat was burned off. People have even worn monitors to determine how many miles

Bendix personal dosimeter

they walk in a day. People working in radiology have worn devices for years to determine how many roentgens they have been exposed to.

So wearable technology really is not all that new. Only through the advances of miniaturization and programming are these devices doing things we could only dream about.

But how far can this go? Looking at what is planned to come out, if you bought all of these various devices for different jobs you could wind up looking like the Borg.

The ultimate in Wearable Technology
Image from Wikipedia

A major issue with this new technology especially with devices like Google Glass is how distracting

will it be? This will become crucial when operating a motor vehicle, crossing a busy street or operating machinery. I am sure law makers will prohibit these from being used when operating a motor vehicle.

Google Glass, a benefit or distraction?
Image from Wikipedia

Another big question is how plugged in do you really need to be? Is there some kind of fix you get from being bombarded by all those electrons? I have seen it when the batteries fail on an electronic device a child has and the instant fit that ensues. When the batteries are replaced euphoria now set in as the eyes glaze over watching the video display and listening to the electronically created sound effects. Or when the internet goes down or computer fails how some people show signs of withdrawal.

Maybe this new wearable technology is not a good thing after all. We do need to unplug and let our minds relax and wander. For me, I set my iPad down, walk away from my computers, turn off my iPhone don my drysuit and head to the ocean depths or hop on my motorcycle for a ride to nowhere or even toss a hook into the water and not care if the fish are biting, and even spending time at the observatory gazing at stars. And not forget spending quality time with my wife. Unplugging at it’s best. Something maybe we all need to do instead of watching stock reports on our glasses while driving on the expressway.


(c)2014 William Lewis