Wearables technologies are advanced computer devices, worn on the body, collecting data, tracking activities and providing personalised experiences. These technologies are a subset of a larger network of ‘smart devices’ known as the “Internet of things”, IoT for short. These ’things’ are embedded with software, sensors and other technologies and are already around us. Think of your favourite talking speaker, what is it? A smart device.
The concerns surrounding wearable tech
Despite the rise of smart watches, which are smart wearables, this particular subset of iot is not widely used yet, but holds great promise. Smart wearables are promised to have widespread societal influences in the coming years, spreading into all our daily lives. And yet, there are many, understandable, fears surrounding them.
Some fears may include, but are not limited to:
- Privacy Issues.
- Security Vulnerabilities.
- Data Accuracy and Reliability.
- Addiction and Overreliance.
- Electromagnetic Radiation.
- Social Isolation.
- Lack of Regulation.
- Ethical Dilemmas.
- Accessibility and Inclusivity.
- Health and Safety Risks.
- Environmental Impact.
- Dependency on External Services.
Not to add smoke to the fire but the list could go on. However, like with anything new, novel or noteworthy, we are always going to be concerned. Historically our society has always been cautious with new tech.
Take televisions for example, or “50 inch high definition flat screens tvs’. Since the 1960s, psychologists have been concerned with how tv could affect the health and well-being of us viewers. In fact there have been numerous research papers published about the devastating impacts of tv watching. But contrastingly, experts have found that watching TV, particularly educational shows, can be a valuable learning experience for adults and children alike, inducing magical imaginative experiences.
The aim is not to discourage you from embracing technology entirely, but to reassure you that having concerns about tech is perfectly normal. While I could delve into each of our concerns in exhaustive detail, who has the time to read that! In our rapidly evolving world, the responsibility falls on us, the consumers, to make informed choices about which companies to trust, especially in the realm of wearable technology.
That’s why at At Senti, your feedback is invaluable to us. Our top priority is to guarantee the safety and usability of our products, with your insights and suggestions at the forefront. We exemplify this commitment through extensive and continuous user trials conducted by our dedicated team.
Revolutionising Healthcare with wearable tech
In the ever changing landscape of wearable technology, recent breakthroughs have sparked revolutionary progress across diverse industries, from fitness and fashion to lifestyle and healthcare. It is within the realm of healthcare, however, that the most promising strides have been made. Smart wearable monitoring systems are reshaping the healthcare experience, allowing for continuous health condition monitoring right from the comfort of our homes, significantly reducing the need for frequent hospital visits.
Consider the groundbreaking Senti Wearvest, which is being designed to monitor individuals with COPD, Asthma, and other respiratory conditions, all within the familiar confines of their homes. Giving assurance to our users that, in the event of a respiratory flare-up, our device will track it in real-time, ensuring intervention and assistance as and when needed.
Another surprising yet impactful development emerged as smart wound dressing. A prototype smart bandage has been engineered to wirelessly transmit wound information to a computer system, address infection and inflammation by administering medicinal substances and apply weak electrical fields to the wound site, fostering tissue growth and expediting the healing process.
Why wearables have the potential to change healthcare
Wearables provide the capability to frequently and conveniently capture indicators of various diseases and the body’s condition. This means that a disease and how it is changing can be tracked in real-time, creating new windows for interventions. As interventions (such as rescue medications) are often more effective when started earlier on, wearable technologies allow an unparalleled ability to improve the effectiveness of care and treatment. Choosing the most appropriate disease indicators and monitoring them reliably is the challenge that scientists and investors must navigate successfully.
While it’s natural to have our concerns about emerging technologies, placing trust in reputable wearable technology providers – like Senti – empowers us to actively contribute to the ongoing evolution of our society and, quite possibly, our world. The future of healthcare is not just in hospitals; it’s in the wearable tech we wear everyday as we embrace the transformative possibilities it holds, our health and well-being can be rapidly improved.