What is it?
Wearable computing is not a new concept. The idea of computers worn on the body, and integrated into clothing, has been around for many years. Indeed, examples of wearable computers have existed since the 1970s.
These original prototypes were typically very cumbersome, often requiring users to wear a heavy backpack. In the 1980s, miniaturization saw some integration with clothing and accessories such as glasses. Throughout the 1990s, wearable computers were refined to make them less obvious and obtrusive, and integrated more seamlessly with clothing and the human body.
It is, however, only within the last two to three years that improvements in miniaturization, battery technology, textiles, connectivity options and reductions in component prices have made wearable computers viable outside of laboratories and military applications.
Wearable computers may be attached to the body by straps or wristbands, or may be integrated into objects that are already worn, such as earrings or watches. They may also be directly integrated into items of clothing such as jackets, in some cases exploiting the properties of modern textiles to transmit data or power to distribute the system around the garment.
To learn more about Wearable computing, download our full Foresight PDF file (
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