The Evolution of Wearable Technology: A Look at Its Timeline
Wearable technology has become an integral part of our lives over the past few years. Starting from simple fitness trackers, we have now reached a point where we have smartwatches, augmented reality glasses, and even smart clothes. It’s hard to imagine a world without wearable technology. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of wearable technology and how it has evolved over time.
Early Days of Wearable Technology
Believe it or not, wearable technology has been around for centuries. The first wearable technology can be traced back to the 16th century when the Abacus ring was invented. This ring had a small Abacus built into it that could be used for simple calculations. However, the first real breakthrough in wearable technology came in the 1960s when Ed Roberts created a wearable computer named S.A.G.E.
The Rise of Fitness Trackers
The next significant milestone in wearable technology was the invention of fitness trackers. The first fitness tracker, called the “Manpo-Kei,” was created in Japan in 1985. However, it was not until the launch of Fitbit in 2008 that fitness trackers became mainstream. Today, fitness trackers are used by millions of people worldwide to track their daily activities, sleep patterns, and heart rates.
The Emergence of Smartwatches
Smartwatches, a close cousin of fitness trackers, emerged in the early 2010s. The first smartwatch, called the Pebble, was launched in 2013. Since then, smartwatches have evolved rapidly, adding more features such as GPS navigation, mobile payments, and voice assistants. Smartwatches are now becoming an essential part of our lives, allowing us to stay connected even without our smartphones.
Augmented Reality Glasses
Augmented reality glasses, also known as smart glasses, are a recent addition to the wearable technology family. Google Glass was the first mainstream augmented reality glasses launched in 2013. Although the device did not pick up as expected, it opened up new possibilities, and today, we have several players in the market, such as Microsoft’s HoloLens and Magic Leap.
Smart Clothes
Smart clothes are the latest addition to the wearable technology family. Smart clothes are clothing items that are embedded with sensors that can track various body metrics, such as heart rate, body temperature, and more. These clothes also have the ability to regulate body temperature, making them ideal for athletes and travelers. Smart clothes are still in their infancy, but we can expect them to become mainstream in the coming years.
Conclusion
Wearable technology has come a long way since the Abacus ring. From fitness trackers and smartwatches to augmented reality glasses and smart clothes, wearable technology is rapidly evolving and changing the way we live our lives. As technology continues to advance, we can expect newer and smarter wearables to hit the market. The possibilities are endless, and we are only scratching the surface of what wearable technology can do.
