Business and Technology Insight Forums Tokyo 2016

Half-day Insight Forum 6

Enabling Technologies for Wearables: Materials, Sensors, Displays, Haptics, E-Textiles and Power

Many of the most prominent wearable technology products today are direct derivatives of the mobile phone. However, with the clear drivers towards a more diverse and ubiquitous wearable technology in the future, huge investment has been made at the material and component level to create new options for wearable devices. This session will cover all of the key technology developments behind wearables today and in the future.

At the materials level, there is a significant focus on the interaction between electronics and textiles, and the inks, adhesives and encapsulation required for this process are key. Whilst e-textile products have been around for over 15 years, they have failed to reach large markets so far. However, with large players investing and entering the market rapidly, this is set to change in the near future.

Made-for-wearable sensor platforms are beginning to mature, where new combinations of sensors can provide new insights from data. Displays account for over 50% of the power consumption in a typical high-end smartwatch, so low power displays are increasingly popular in many wearable products. Haptics provide a key user interface, and many players are starting to move beyond the ERM motor that has been the dominant incumbent for many years. Finally, we will address the power problem. With the historic rate of progress in batteries lagging behind other components, there is a constant battle between battery life and increasing functionality. We will address the trends in batteries, but also the impact of other key techniques including energy harvesting and wireless charging.

All of these developments will shape the future of the wearable technology industry, and this forum will provide insight into technology, key players and key trends behind each.

All Insight Forums will be conducted in English

This forum can be attended on its own or in addition to the Wearable Technology: Products, Markets and Trends forum in the 午前, which is complementary in subject matter. A discount is available for booking both.