What’s The Future of Wearable Tech?

Wearable technology has come a long way from the Walkman in the 1980s to today's highly sophisticated fitness trackers and smartwatches. It's been estimated that 40% of consumers in the UK and 58% of consumers in the US have access to a smartwatch or a fitness tracker. The acceptance of wearables is already like that of the speedy adoption of smartphones in the years following the launch of the iPhone in 2007. The latest advancements in wearable tech have seamlessly blended into our lives and empowered us to take charge of our health, fitness and overall well-being. With such widespread adoption, wearables hold a promising future. Here are 4 reasons why: 

 1. Increasingly Sophisticated Sensors 

The advancement of sensors in wearable tech has reached new heights, enabling them to capture a diverse range of physiological and environmental information. The data gathered from these devices holds amazing potential to enhance our health, fitness, and overall quality of life. They're also empowering people with life-long conditions and illnesses to take control of their health. 

Among the development in the sensors, flash glucose monitors really stand out. These monitors are revolutionising the lives of countless people living with diabetes worldwide. Incorporating both chemical and electrical sensors on the back of the upper arm, these monitors are worn externally, enabling users to track glucose levels conveniently through a mobile app. What’s great about this is that it can review sugar levels every minute of the day and night without having to constantly prick your finger. The app then produces charts and graphs so you can see and understand how things like food and activity can affect blood sugar levels. The development of these sensors has enabled diabetic individuals to take charge of their health like never before. 

2. More Integrated in Our Lives 

Who carries their wallet anymore? I can’t remember the last time I took my purse out with me because it’s just easier to pay for things with my smartwatch. Wearable devices are becoming increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, offering a range of convenient features such as voice assistants and even augmented reality. Thanks to the voice-controlled assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant that are built into these devices, managing home devices, like thermostats to security cameras and door locks, has never been easier. Wearable tech has even gone as far as removing the need to get our smartphones from our pockets to read messages.  

As these devices streamline our routines and simplify our daily tasks, we naturally find ourselves relying on them more and more. This trend will definitely continue to grow in the future, as wearables take centre stage in our everyday lives. 

3. More Personalised 

The trend of wearable devices is moving towards greater personalisation as they become capable of learning and adapting to our unique preferences and habits. This customisation opens up new possibilities, allowing wearables to deliver information that is valuable for enhancing our lives. 

The personalised touch to these wearable devices gives people a sense of empowerment and control as if they are in complete command of their wearable experience. This empowerment extends to taking charge of your health, especially in a world where accessing a doctor's appointment may not always be quick. Wearables equipped with personalised features can serve as significant assistance in managing and improving our well-being. 

 4. More Affordable 

The first wearable devices came with a heavy price tag, like the first Apple watches that became available in the early 2010s. There’s a range of products on the market now in most wearable categories to cater to all budgets. As wearable tech advances, we can expect to see this become true of all categories – even ones that are still mainly premium products, like headwear and eyewear. The affordability will only help to drive the adoption of wearable tech in the future. 

In terms of wearable MedTech, in the UK we’re seeing more and more become available on the NHS. The adoption of wearables in the NHS allows patients to take more proactive control of their health journey and enhance the data they provide clinicians. A great example of this is patients with Parkinson’s disease in England who are being given smartwatches that allow doctors to remotely assess their condition.  

The Next Steps in Wearable Tech 

Wearable tech is the future. As wearable technology continues to evolve, it’s likely to play an increasingly important role in our daily lives. Looking ahead, wearables will become as ubiquitous as smartphones were when they first came out. And I, for one, can’t wait to see it.  

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