Overview

Wearable Computers Past PresentFuture

Broadly speaking, who can guess what the first two “wearable computers” was?

and 1500’sAs early as the

1200’s

Definition of analog computer- a computer that represents data by measurable quantities, as voltages or, formerly, the rotation of gears, in order to solve a problem, rather than by expressing the data as numbers.

AKA- the pocket watch!

As for the eyeglass??

Best we can tell, it aids in solving the problem of sight.

So why would wearable computers be so important?

For starters:Personal computers and even the internet

have reached a temporary stand still in advancement.

i.e. look at recent cell phone advancements

The next logical step that research companies have turned to is mobility.

Wearable’s of Today The Medical Field..

Data Processing- Physicians can review records on the go, and with voice recognition doctors can take notes and even record medical procedures.

Wearable’s of Today The Medical Field..

Patient Monitoring – Vital information can be transmitted to the headworn display. allowing surgeons to look at the data without turning away from their patient.  

Statistics have shown that this is safer then having to constantly watch nearby monitors.

Wearable’s of Today The Medical Field..

Digital Imaging – aside from a small monitor, new technology allow for HUD’s (Heads Up Display).

The latest technology enables images to be projected into the retina.

Something like this:

Wearable’s of TodayProsthetic Limbs

Earliest known prosthetic limb uncovered 300B.C. Capri, Italy.

- Made from copper and wood

-Prosthetic care dates back to fifth Egyptian dynasty(2750-2625B.C.).

-Pirates didn’t invent the peg leg..

Older Prosthetic limbs

-Require movement of cable and wireswithin the limb.

-Or pushing of buttons at the amputation sitewhich only allows for one motion

-Are not very efficient, requires a lot ofenergy use.

Wearable’s of TodayProsthetic Limbs

The C-Leg

Ottobockus.com

-The C-Leg uses the C programming languageto do all of the calculations required to function, hence “C”-leg.

How it works..

Sensors from the foot and ankle get loadInformation, sensors from the knee get thePrecise angle of the leg and swing speed,this is all sent to a microprocessor forComputing.

Wearable’s of TodayProsthetic Limbs

The Results..

Ottobockus.com

-Allows for better stability.

-Better natural movement

-Much more efficient than olderprosthetics, requires less energy use.

Wearable’s of TodayProsthetic Limbs

Wearable’s of Today Consumer applications..

Fossil has created the wrist PDA, it uses the Palm OS, and has almost all the functionality of a standard Palm Pilot.

Accenture Technology Labs has created a device that uses two small microphones, and a camera to Assist in remembering a persons name.

Wearable’s of Today Consumer applications..

MIT Media Lab has developed handbags that alert you when you leave Things behind, your wallet, or an umbrella if you need one.

Oakley has developed the first digital music eyewear. The Oakley Thump, comes equipped with a solid state hard drive, for skip free listening.