Wearable sensor technology is becoming more prominent in mainstream circles as a way of quantifying our progress in the pursuit of optimised health and well-being. However the problem still remains that the function of processed data is still relatively basic and the realisation and focus on increasing movement is what makes the products useful to most as opposed to the data itself.

Times may be changing with the realisation that, for an explosion into the market, companies must begin to offer the consumer more. Everybody is looking for tangible data with more uses than a simple estimation of movement and calorie expenditure.

Wired.com recently brought my attention to the latest Moov technology. An innovative design using magnets to attach to relevant body parts. The sensor technology analyses far more than your conventional wearable sensor analysing movement, calories burned, cadence, stride length, efficiency of movement and impact force are just some of the parameters being recorded. In my opinion the best feature provided is the coaching implementation of the data collected, the Moov technology analyses a movement you are completing and provides real time feedback through a connection from the sensor to your phone. Subsequent feedback is provided on your technique and efficiency of movements through your headphones whether that is regarding reduction in impact force when running or improving your swing efficiency when practicing your golf swing.

We’ve been introduced to virtual coaching and feedback in a multitude of running apps but I haven’t come across complexity and potential to this extent available outside of academic or scientific settings before.

Another technology expanding potential of wearable sensors is the Lumo Lift (similar to the Lumo Back product evaluated in a previous article) analysing a multitude of parameters whilst also providing feedback on posture preventing slouching possibly more applicable to an everyday user as opposed to the exercise fanatic.

Whilst the improvement in implementation of an expanding potential for data tracking parameters certainly excites me and the coaching technology is a massive step forward allowing a more understandable evaluation of the data for more applicable results, I can’t help but think many are missing out on the key limiting factor. For the average consumer there is no getting away from the fact that look and ease of use are of paramount importance. A variety of solutions have been provided including chest worn straps, magnetic attachments, clip-ons, more fashionable wrist worn designs however attempts have still failed to negate the fact that wearable sensor technology ‘tags’ a consumer as different, and in some cases, weird.

Until a fashionable design is provided that blends with current trends then I predict that wearable sensor technology will forever remain a focus of the exercising populations and will not breach into a more general market.

We can only hope that a company, perhaps one that focuses on improving health and wellbeing through technology, coaching and spreading of free information through informative and interesting public information articles (like the one you’re currently reading) can come up with such a design. Maybe an innovative design is in the pipeline already, who knows…?

Jack Barton (Researcher, Rescon Ltd)

Sources:

http://mashable.com/2014/02/27/moov-fitness-tracker/

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/03/motion-analyzing-wearables/