Wearable Devices’ Expansion to Industrial Sector Thrives with Addition of Advanced Sensors and Software
August 4, 2017 | Frost & SullivanEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and workers’ need for real-time data, monitoring and tracking are boosting the development of wearable technologies for the industrial sector. With the technology crossing the concept phase, stakeholders in manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, construction, mining, oil & gas, retail and healthcare industries are eager to incorporate it into their portfolios. Devices like caps, portable eyeglasses and wrist-worn devices, which are embedded with advanced sensors, voice-recognition technology, visual aids, and touch-assistive provisions, ensure user safety and offer easy access to data.
“Technologists are now designing wearable devices that are lighter, portable, easy-to-handle with long battery power and advanced sensor technologies in order to improve human ergonomics and reduce fatigue related issues,” noted Frost & Sullivan TechVision Research Analyst Ranjana Lakshmi Venkatesh Kumar. “The miniaturization trend and advancements in materials will further result in wearable devices with tiny sensors and electronic components that can be a part of the human body itself.”
Wearable Technologies for Industrial Applications is part of Frost & Sullivan’s TechVision Growth Partnership Service program. The study identifies key wearable device technologies and market players across applications like manufacturing shop floors, shop floor assembly, quality checks, and item pick up and movements, as well as delivery scheduling.
While the devices’ scope of application is expanding rapidly, high capital costs and limited support from existing platforms are restricting adoption in the industrial sector. Companies also are apprehensive about the technology’s ability to integrate smoothly with the existing workflow. Many technology developers may not even have access to the technology required to build ergonomics and environment-of-use into the product design.
“Over the next two to five years, highly disruptive developments are expected in the wearable device market,” noted Kumar. “Greater digitization will transform the current industrial sector into a smart industry with internal users and external customers connected to the supply chain process, and machine-human interface enhancing productivity, user awareness, and working conditions.”
The range of wearable devices that can now be used or evaluated in industrial settings includes smart watches, activity or health trackers (fitness bands), wearable mobile cameras, smart eyewear, and head-mounted displays with augmented reality (AR). Other technologies with potential include ring sensors to control the environment, electronic skin wearable devices for displays and even headbands that track brain activity to achieve composure or focus.
Some of the outstanding innovators in this field include:
- Epson, UK: Epson provides a lightweight binocular smart glass device with excellent OLED display. The device has a camera to project assistive AR images. The advanced sensors and processors read the environment of the user and present suitable recommendations.
- ODG (Osterhout Design Group), USA: The ODG smart glass is a mobile computer consisting of two stereoscopic HD displays run at 80 frame/second with a 40-degree field of vision. The glasses are targeted at industrial and healthcare applications.
- OptAlert, Australia: The company has developed a fatigue management device that measures users’ drowsiness in real time based on pupil movement. It features a unique Bluetooth technology with multiple layers of protection that ensures safety of the device.
About TechVision
Frost & Sullivan's global TechVision practice is focused on innovation, disruption and convergence, and provides a variety of technology-based alerts, newsletters and research services as well as growth consulting services. Its premier offering, the TechVision program, identifies and evaluates the most valuable emerging and disruptive technologies enabling products with near-term potential. A unique feature of the TechVision program is an annual selection of 50 technologies that can generate convergence scenarios, possibly disrupt the innovation landscape, and drive transformational growth.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion
Suggested Items
Koh Young Showcases Award-winning Inspection Solutions at SMTconnect with SmartRep in Hall 4A.225
04/25/2024 | Koh Young TechnologyKoh Young Technology, the industry leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection solutions, will showcase an array of award-winning inspection and measurement solutions at SMTconnect alongside its sales partner, SmartRep, in booth 4A.225 at NürnbergMesse from June 11-13, 2023. The following offers a glimpse into what Koh Young will present at the tradeshow:
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Plasmatreat: Innovative Surface Preparation Solutions
04/25/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOIn this interview, Editor Nolan Johnson speaks with Hardev Grewal, CEO and president of Plasmatreat, a developer of atmospheric plasma solutions. Plasmatreat uses clean compressed air and electricity to create plasma, offering environmentally friendly methods for surface preparation. Their technology measures plasma density for process optimization and can remove organic micro-contamination. Nolan and Hardev also discuss REDOX-Tool, a new technology for removing metal oxides.
Nanotechnology Market to Surpass $53.51 Billion by 2031
04/25/2024 | PRNewswireSkyQuest projects that the nanotechnology market will attain a value of USD 53.51 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 36.4% over the forecast period (2024-2031).
Cadence, TSMC Collaborate on Wide-Ranging Innovations to Transform System and Semiconductor Design
04/25/2024 | Cadence Design SystemsCadence Design Systems, Inc. and TSMC have extended their longstanding collaboration by announcing a broad range of innovative technology advancements to accelerate design, including developments ranging from 3D-IC and advanced process nodes to design IP and photonics.
SMC Korea 2024 to Highlight Semiconductor Materials Trends and Innovations on Industry’s Path to $1 Trillion
04/24/2024 | SEMIWith Korea a major consumer of semiconductor materials and advanced materials a key driver of innovation on the industry’s path to $1 trillion, industry leaders and experts will gather at SMC (Strategic Materials Conference) Korea 2024 on May 29 at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea to provide insights into the latest materials developments and trends. Registration is open.