The world of wearable technology has experienced a remarkable revolution in recent years. IoT has ushered in a seamless integration of connected devices into our daily lives, revolutionising how we interact with technology and the benefits the data captured can now bring to our health and wealth.
Just recently, a Czech couple tied the knot and when it came to exchanging rings after the nuptials, they ditched the gold bands for smart wedding rings. Smart rings incorporate sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, and sometimes NFC or other technologies, that can be paired to a smartphone or other compatible device, to allow the wearers to receive notifications, track health and fitness metrics, make contactless payments, and even control certain functions on their connected devices.
They can also store personalized messages or symbols, personalising their sentimental value as a symbol of commitment and love when used in the context of wedding bands.
This shows the ubiquity of wearables in everyday life, and how consumers are willing to incorporate them not just in a general day to day use, but into meaningful life events to mark an occasion.
And it shows, the smart wearable market size is expected to grow from $70.5 billion in 2023 to $171.6 billion by 2028. With over $100 billion in projected growth over the horizon, let’s explore the five most popular IoT wearable devices that have captured the imagination of consumers worldwide.
Top 5 wearables
Smartwatches: Smartwatches are perhaps the most well-known category of IoT wearables. The wrist-worn devices offer a range of feature: health and fitness tracking, notifications, music control, and even the ability to make calls. Smartwatches often pair with smartphones to provide an extension of their functionalities, offering convenience and real-time data on the go.
Fitness Trackers: Fitness trackers are designed primarily to monitor physical activities and health metrics. These devices typically track steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Fitness trackers are a popular choice for fitness enthusiasts and those looking to monitor and improve their overall well-being. Although these devices can remain independent from a smartphone to function, connection to one becomes required for things like syncing of information collected.
Smart Rings: As mentioned above, smart rings are one of the most discreet form of IoT wearables that can track various health metrics, monitor sleep patterns, and even provide notifications through subtle vibrations or LEDs. Smart rings are also optimised to try and preserve battery life due to the more personal nature of things like smart rings serving as things like wedding rings.
Smart Glasses: Smart glasses are a less common version of IoT wearable that integrates technology into eyewear. More so utilised by businesses than consumers, they often provide augmented reality capabilities that allow users to access information, navigation, and other features through a heads-up display. While they haven’t gained mainstream popularity yet, the release of Apple Vision Pro AR show that the idea is slowly bleeding through to a more consumer market. they show promise in various industries, including healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.
Smart Clothing: IoT-enabled smart clothing integrates sensors and electronics directly into apparel, enabling various functionalities. Examples include fitness shirts that monitor heart rate, smart socks that analyse foot movement during sports, or even jackets with built-in heating elements that adjust based on weather conditions.
With IoT capabilities improving with technological innovations, such as battery life, edge computing and more, more wearables are bound to enter the sphere. But the ones driving the growth are likely to be the ones already established, but growing in use, a la smart rings.
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