2. One of the simpler definitions of “Wearable
Computing” is:
“Wearable computing facilitates a new form of human--
computer interaction comprising a small body--worn
computer (e.g. user--programmable device) that is
always on and always ready and accessible. In this
regard, the new computational framework differs from
that of hand held devices, laptop computers and personal
digital assistants (PDAs). The ``always ready''
capability leads to a new form of synergy between
human and computer, characterized by long-term
adaptation through constancy of user--interface.”
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 2
3. One of the simpler definitions of “Wearable
Computing” is:
“Wearable computing facilitates a new form of human--
computer interaction comprising a small body--worn
computer (e.g. user--programmable device) that is
always on and always ready and accessible. In this
regard, the new computational framework differs from
that of hand held devices, laptop computers and personal
digital assistants (PDAs). The ``always ready''
capability leads to a new form of synergy between
human and computer, characterized by long-term
adaptation through constancy of user--interface.”
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 3
4. 1961 Ed Thorp and Claude Shannon invented
the first wearable computer, used to predict
roulette wheels [MIT]
Some rights reserved by Jacrews7
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 4
5. 1983 Taft commercializes toe-operated
computers based on Z-80's for counting cards
Some rights reserved by Ben Brewer
1991 Doug Platt reveals his 286-based "Hip-
PC" [Select Tech]
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 5
6. 1994 Mik Lamming and Mike Flynn develop
"Forget-Me-Not," a continuous personal
recording system [Xerox EuroPARC]
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 6
7. 1996 The American military starts
development of the Land warrior project
2000 The touch screen Ericsson R380
Smartphone’s was released
Some rights reserved by James Nash (aka Cirrus)
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 7
11. The project was in a prototype combat testing
stage in 2009, with funding cut to only cover
maintenance. If it proved to be useful to
infantry combat it was likely to return to full
funding
Unfortunately it didn’t Catch on.
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 11
13. “The GD300 includes a sunlight readable display
and functional control buttons typically found
on any Android-based device. The 3.5-inch
touch-screen display lets war fighters move
information around, zoom in or out or place
digital “markers” on tactical maps with the
touch of a gloved finger. Comfortably fitting in
an adult’s hand, the computer fully meets MIL-
STD 810G specifications for ruggedness.”
22/03/2012 By Stewart Locke 13
Hello and welcome to my presentation on wearable computing. Today I will be giving at a quick overview of how the area of wearable computing seems to have developed and where I personally believe that the area of wearable computing is heading due to my research. If you don’t mind please keep any questions until the end of the presentation.
This is the simplest definition of wearable computing that I could find that successfully works to distinguish between the mobile computing of the everyday mobile phone of today.“Wearable computing facilitates a new form of human--computer interaction comprising a small body--worn computer that is always on and always ready and accessible. In this regard, the new computational framework differs from that of hand held devices, laptop computers and PDAs. The ``always ready'' capability leads to a new form of synergy between human and computer, characterized by long-term adaptation through constancy of user--interface.”
This is the simplest definition of wearable computing that I could find that successfully works to distinguish between the mobile computing of the everyday mobile phone of today.“Wearable computing facilitates a new form of human--computer interaction comprising a small body--worn computer that is always on and always ready and accessible. In this regard, the new computational framework differs from that of hand held devices, laptop computers and PDAs. The ``always ready'' capability leads to a new form of synergy between human and computer, characterized by long-term adaptation through constancy of user--interface.”
Now time for a quick history lessonIn 1961 Ed Thorp and Claude Shannon invented the first wearable computer which was a cigarette-pack sized computer with 4 push buttons. A data-taker that would use the buttons to indicate the speed of the roulette wheel, and the computer would then send tones via radio to a hearing aid to predict a roulette wheels.
In 1983 Taft commercialized there toe-operated computers based on Z-80's for counting cardsThen In 1991 Doug Platt reveals his shoe box sized computer the “hip-PC” with a reflection technology private eye display and an agenda palm top keyboard attached to a belt
In 1994 Mik Lamming and Mike Flynn develop "Forget-Me-Not,“ it was designed to monitor your surrounding taking in people who you talked to the people around you and the calls you make so later you could ask questions like "Who came by my office while I was on the phone to Mark?“
In 1996 the American land warrior project was set up it was huge project to try and revolutionise the military’s infantry but more on that later In the year 2000 the touch screen Ericsson R380 Smartphone’s was released, it was the first phone to combine the functions of a mobile phone and a PDA. It was also the first device marketed as a 'smartphone‘.
The American military has a long history of technical advancement and trying to develop the top and most innovative technology one such example of Americas search for a better military through wearable computing was the American Land warrior project
The American land warrior project had many innovative ideas that included an eye patch heads up display connected to an array of features including the users M-4 gun scope which also gave access to thermal imaging, zoom and the ability to see around corners .The eye patch was also able to display maps of the battlefield and the location of friendly units.
Some other features of The land warrior systems was a built in radio, a GPS transponder, a local messaging system, relay systems and the ability to communicate directly with command it was all powered by a paperback-size 400-MHz computer. One of the features that were meant to be most useful on the land warrior system was its ability to sends out a record of the battlefield from the solders perspective to the commanding officers for general analysis purposes.
There were many issues with the land warrior system. According to some, parts of the land warrior gear was out-dated and buggy when it first got released and with many unnecessary features. Another complaint about the land warrior gear was the 17 pounds of weight which is added on to the previous 80 pounds which was greatly restricting the infantry’s movement. It was proven to be a waste with half a billion dollars spent on the project since its start in 1996.
After the launch of the IPhone and the large range of Android based phones the military’s attempts at wearable computing was put to shame, the military had the excuse that public Smartphone’s rely on billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and they don’t have to be built to survive combat situations.When the military decided that they were going to try to build a Smartphone based system there answer was the GD300 Rugged Wearable Computer system
The GD300 Rugged Wearable computer system had integrated cameras, GPS, compass, accelerometers, Sunlight-readable display, the ability to dim the screen for night time operation and a touch screen that is suitable for use with fire retardant gloves, in wet or dusty conditions. Its operating system was based in Android and came in a Smartphone sized device that strapped onto the users arm and weighed less than 8 ounces.
Currently the area of wearable computing seems to be dying out fast but some people are still working towards developing wearable computing systems for an example the open source SixthSence along and a wide variety of do it yourself wearable computer system examples that can be found right across the Internet.
The most interesting piece of wearable computing that I was able to find currently in development is SithSence. SithSence is a gestural interface system that is currently in development and the open source software should be available with a month but still has a long way to go before a sellable item. SixthSence have made and are currently developing a wearable computer that works through a gestural interface built up of a camera, a projector, a mirror, a microphone and a mobile computing device to combine the physical and virtual worlds with the software written in C++ and C#.
The most interesting piece of wearable computing that I was able to find currently in development is SithSence. SithSence is a gestural interface system that is currently in development and the open source software should be available with a month but still has a long way to go before a sellable item. SixthSence have made and are currently developing a wearable computer that works through a gestural interface built up of a camera, a projector, a mirror, a microphone and a mobile computing device to combine the physical and virtual worlds with the software written in C++ and C#.
There is also plenty of evidence of “DIY” attempts at wearable computing fulfilling a variety of different tasks right across the internet that range from alternate reality for sensory replacement or entertainment all the way to general everyday use.Some are very basic and limited whereas some are at the top end of technology.
more recently the development of mobile computing has shifted towards portable devices like smart phones that I believe with later development in technology, smart phones could hit a wall due to size in which wearable devices will take over as they don’t require the physical size, but I cannot see this happening without great development and innovation in technology to create a seamless human to computer interface.
In conclusion I find that currently Wearable computing is taking a back seat with Smartphone mobile technology taking the lead, but at some point Smartphone’s will hit a wall with minimization and real world integration through virtual reality at which point I see wearable computing taking a lead. There are a few innovative projects in development that are working towards the future with nearly unnoticeable virtual enhancements of the world around us. Wearable computing however currently has a leading role in military technology as the extra mobility and easy access it greatly appreciated. Along with these highly useful applications of wearable computing there are the sometimes silly examples throughout the do it yourself computing community.
In conclusion I find that currently Wearable computing is taking a back seat with Smartphone mobile technology taking the lead, but at some point Smartphone’s will hit a wall with minimization and real world integration through virtual reality at which point I see wearable computing taking a lead. There are a few innovative projects in development that are working towards the future with nearly unnoticeable virtual enhancements of the world around us. Wearable computing however currently has a leading role in military technology as the extra mobility and easy access it greatly appreciated. Along with these highly useful applications of wearable computing there are the sometimes silly examples throughout the do it yourself computing community.
