Application of Wearable Technologies in Different Industries

For many people, smart wearables have already become everyday companions and are actively used both for personal and work-related purposes. Potentially, that is a huge market being still far from saturation with steadily growing capacity in the coming years.

The wearable devices market size is projected to grow from USD 116.2 billion in 2021 to USD 265.4 billion by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.0% from 2021 to 2026. — MarketsandMarkets™

We can subdivide modern wearable devices into the main types as follows:

• Fitness trackers and heart-rate monitors
• Smartwatches
• Headphones
• GPS trackers
• Smart glasses
• Other gadgets using AR/VR.

They all collect and transfer data by using built-in sensors that support Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS technologies.

Smartwatches and fitness trackers are current bestsellers:

Image: Statista

Wearable app development services is becoming increasingly demanded because companies working in many industries find ways to use this technology to solve their business problems.

Wearable devices create a new way of collecting valuable and accurate data about user (customer) behavior, and you can use them to grow your business. That is the basic argument why entrepreneurs should invest in this area.

In this article, we will tell you how smart wearables can be applied in various industries.

Wearable Technology in Sport and Fitness

In the broad consumer segment, wearable devices have gained the greatest popularity in the area of sports, fitness, and a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic additionally boosted this segment’s development.

In this regard, people use them to track bodily indicators (heart rate, calories burned) and control training regimens (GPS tracking, user activity). At the same time, one might say that manufacturers have successfully resolved the most pressing issue for such gadgets, namely accuracy.

Wearable Technologies in Healthcare

Medical wearable electronic gadgets use sensors to monitor, analyze, store and transfer data. For instance, such devices allow monitoring blood sugar levels, oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, sleep quality, and many other vitals.

Healthcare professionals are actively using technological advances to protect people better and prevent possible health problems. The healthcare industry utilizes not just smartwatches and bracelets but also sensors embedded in rings, smart patches, and even clothes.

Wearable Technologies in Entertainment

The gaming and entertainment industry is always the first to adopt advanced technological developments, and most often, they can fully fulfill their potential in this niche. VR headsets, glasses, and controllers were the first type of wearable device used in games. They are in demand for all kinds of entertainment, such as virtual travel or watching movies.

AR glasses are not yet quite affordable, but this direction is being actively developed, and obviously, successful products will be in demand.

Wearable Technologies in Travel

Smartwatches and AR glasses can be used to navigate in cities and explore local landmarks.

We can mention Google Pixel Buds 2 headphones as an example of an interesting and non-standard approach to the use of wearables, as they allow translating speech in a real-time environment. This technology is not perfect enough so far. However, it provides tremendous opportunities for travelers.

Wearable Technologies in Education

Wearable devices can help teachers and students learn, exchange knowledge, and solve everyday problems. In this regard, VR/AR glasses pose a specific interest, as they allow increasing student involvement, improving learning content perception, and accelerating new knowledge and skills acquisition.

We can exemplify the use of the technology by virtual excursions, language studies, and assistance to medical students by using the capabilities of augmented reality.

Wearable Technologies in Retail

The NFC technology used for making contactless payments has become a practical amenity most often used by people who own smartwatches and fitness bracelets. According to surveys, 34% of wearable device owners use them to pay for their purchases.

Retailers can use them to make customized offers, improve customer service, and collect valuable data able to optimize business processes.

Wearable Technologies in Construction

The advantages of wearable technologies can also be experienced in such a relatively conservative industry as construction. Wearables allow tracking data on workers’ health statuses and locations, as well as identifying potentially hazardous zones (for instance, gas emissions) and controlling access to restricted areas.

We can expand this list almost indefinitely, as sensors and wearables can find their application for a wide variety of purposes.

Wearable Technologies in Logistic and Transportation

Companies working in these areas face many challenges and have to constantly solve problems related to goods transportation and accounting, information updates, the necessity to optimize routes, etc. The wearables utilized in this area allow:

• tracking vehicles or goods location;
• controlling personnel’s work and movements;
• choosing the best route;
• optimizing goods segregation at warehouses;
• receiving information on the cargo using AR, etc.

Takeaways

Wearable technologies are improving and their popularity continues to grow. They open up great opportunities for device manufacturers, app developers, and companies doing business in various industries.

If you have some idea and want to develop an app for wearable devices or would like to learn more about the possibilities of using this technology in your business, please contact us, and let us discuss the details.