Wearable tech, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, monitor physiological changes to improve health and performance. Advanced wearables can also detect early signs of psychiatric disorders and communicate emergency alerts, such as an irregular heart rhythm or sleep apnea, to patients and family members. In the workplace, wearables like virtual assistants and gesture-controlled devices offer hands-free interaction and help streamline workflow. GPS-enabled wearables allow parents to locate children and employees, while industrial wearables increase productivity and safety by detecting worker fatigue or dangerous conditions.
Some examples of consumer wearables include smartwatches, wristbands and headbands that monitor physiological changes, such as blood oxygen levels or heart rate, and connect to mobile apps for data storage and processing. Smart clothing, such as jackets with built-in sensors that can activate mobile devices and play music or take photos, and augmented reality (AR) headsets enable mixed interaction with the real world and virtual environment, are also available.
However, despite their promise to empower users by helping them take a more active role in their own care, barriers to use have been reported [67]. For example, feelings of fatigue and lack of personalized advice can discourage regular wearable usage over time. In addition, concerns about data privacy and personalization may dissuade individuals from using wearables if they feel that their goals are not being met or their personal information is being used inappropriately by others. However, by providing individuals with transparency and enabling them to limit how their personal data is used, these barriers can be overcome.