Wearable Technology

Churning out biosensors with structured metal-coated polymer film to produce affordable biosensors.

Athletic apparel that increases performance by boosting hydration during workouts.

As the hype around wearable technology fades, IDTechEx technology analyst James Hayward looks at where the industry is now.

Wearable power sources for wearable electronics are limited by the size of garments. With that in mind, researchers have developed flexible wire-shaped microsupercapacitors that can be woven into a jacket, shirt or dress.

Scientists report a unique sensing device made of gum and carbon nanotubes that can move with your most bendable parts and track your breathing.

Imagine a future battlefield where an Air Force pararescue jumper treats seven wounded service members at once. He places sensors on their chests, arms and fingers, which immediately feed vital signs to a small wireless computer, no bigger than a cell phone, on his forearm.

Engineers have designed what may be the Band-Aid of the future: a sticky, stretchy, gel-like material that can incorporate temperature sensors, LED lights, and other electronics, as well as tiny, drug-delivering reservoirs and channels.

Defining and exploiting value proposition is an essential part of wearable technology's journey from early adopters into mass markets, and sensor platforms enable the key value proposition in most wearable devices today. This is why made-for-wearable sensors are being developed around the world, and this is why IDTechEx Research finds that made-for-wearable sensors will represent 42% of all sensors in wearable devices in 2026, up from a measly 7% in 2015.

CETEMMSA is a non-profit research institution with 19 years experience of applied research into smart materials and devices. In 2015 they merged with other local research centres to become Eurecat. CETEMMSA's research areas include printed electronics, high performance textiles including eTextiles, surface biofunctionalisation, printed circuits and components, photonics and others.

The 23rd annual IMI Europe inkjet conference focused on emerging technologies and new markets.

EasyJet airline is trialling new smart uniforms with wearable technology.

Industrial design researchers have solved two of the major challenges which prevent everyday items of clothing being turned into power sources for smartphones, tablets and other personal tech.

Tech Tats are a combination of skin-mounted components and conductive paint to create circuitry that lives on the human body in the form of a tattoo that has the capability to collect, store, send and receive data.

With Clothing+ newly unveiled in it's new position under Jabil, smart clothing has become the centre of attention in the wearable technology industry once again. This short article looks back at the origins of smart clothing, placing the current interest in the topic in context. With key players quickly entering the space and investment at an all time high, IDTechEx's latest work analyses the key trends within this evolving industry.

An innovative smart garment reference design for building an integrated textile Heart Rate Monitoring solution.

The device is ideal for applications such as chip-and-PIN credit cards, wearables and consumer electronics, where security and small form factors are essential.

Sensoria provide a body sensing platform incorporating textile sensors, flexible microelectronics and software/cloud platforms targeted initially towards sports and apparel companies. Their current products involve a smart t-shirt, sports bra and smart socks.

People showed great interest in the thin flexible batteries during IDTechEx Show!, which took place from 18th to 19th November in Santa Clara USA. Here is a summary of some interesting work that was on display.

The IDTechEx Show! in Santa Clara assembled the largest collection of innovators and experts around wearable technology. The aim was to share knowledge, build networks and solve problems that the industry faces. With decision makers from the most well-known and prestigious wearable technology projects all present, the stage was set for two productive days of networking, problem solving and discussion. This article covers some of the main themes of the event.

Ybrain is a start-up in brain healthcare founded by former students of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology). They are developing a wearable medical device that will measure and improve brain functions, in the aim to alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).