Body-Adapted Wearable Electronics - Literature review Example

Literature Review Name: Institute: Problem Statement and Definitions Currently, literature presented by scholars investigate the design of emerging wearable technologies which are directly integrated into body-worn accessories or smart clothing, which are designed for situation or constant use as well as accessibility. Suitably, as utilisation of computer technology has grown to be more and more integrated component of day after day life, more studies as it will be evidenced in the literature review have been carried out on the effects brought about by utilising these technologies, which includes study of human computer interaction (HCI). HCI basically as a field of study has turned out to be deep-rooted, but traditionally analysis of HCI concentrated on the static environment. Given that body-adapted wearable technologies are still a novel field, there are scores of imperative challenges associated with the design of these technologies, which are yet to be attended to. Concerns like ease of interaction, physical comfort, and social acceptability in addition to expectations of users on the wearable devices have time and again been marginalized or shelved in scores of academic research, mainly for the reason that the key concentration of this work up till now has been on performance/functionality, and since the soft prerequisites are often outer the know-how of the researcher (Dunne, 2004). The research fields which yielded the early development of body-adapted wearable lack example of close interaction with the human psyche/ mind/body in a incessant-operation, body-mounted model, given that such variables have not subsisted in earlier research (desktop or mobile devices). The latest proliferation of wearable sensors and devices will generate fresh concerns around Data Mountains, but with software systems that are cautiously designed they will change this data into consequential, steered results (Patel et al., 2012). Considering the number of sensors and devices that are accessible in the market, healthcare providers as well as payers will have an additional tool to assist deal with this ever-increasing population. This create the need to carry out the research, not just to investigate the social and cultural significance of body-adapted wearable technologies, but also to analyse if these technologies can have an effect on the user’s health. Technology forecasters deem that factors for body-adapted wearable electronics success include non-invasiveness, device size as well as the capability to evaluate manifold parameters and offer instantaneous feedback that enhances the behaviour of the user (Aleksy et al., 2011). Still, as it will be discussed in the literature review, heightened use will as well rely on social acceptability regarding privacy; for instance wearable devices that utilise cameras for memory assistance as well as facial recognition have created lots of concerns. Definition of Terms Emerging Technologies: An emerging technology is creating some significant improvements with new technological developments in form of different systems evolving towards similar goals. Human–computer interaction (HCI): HCI is the planning, study, design as well as application of the interaction between computers and people (users). Data: is information in unorganized or raw forms (like alphabets, symbols, or numbers) that represent or refer to objects, ideas, or conditions. Wearable technology: is a phrase utilised to describe scores of different forms of body-mounted technology, which includes wearable computers. Importance By carrying out the literature review about body-adapted wearable electronics it will be possible to decisively sum up the present knowledge in body-adapted wearable electronics, recognising any strengths and weaknesses in earlier work, thus aiding in identifying strengths in current research and so eliminating the possible weaknesses. Additionally, a good as well as complete literature search will offer the milieu within body-adapted wearable electronics field. As a consequence, a broad literature review is important for the reason that it: will offer a state-of-the-art understanding concerning body-adapted wearable electronics as well as its significance in the field of technology; will recognize the techniques utilised in earlier studies on this topic; offers comparisons for individual research findings. Objectives The literature review seeks to provide a critical insight from various studies so as to: 1. To understand the basics of HCI for body-adapted wearable electronics. 2. To discuss future motivations of body-adapted wearable electronics as an emerging technology and its potential health impacts as presented in various studies. 3. To highlight the benefits offered by body-adapted wearable electronics. Literature Review Wearable computing as mentioned by Aleksy et al. (2011) promise to achieve effective enhancements in industrial applications thanks to increase of the device in addition to enhanced interaction between the device and the user. In Aleksy et al. (2011) paper, they concentrate on use of wearable electronics in industrial sector, and their study entailed a introductory market analysis concerning wearable technologies as well as analysis of the literature that had been carried out to observe the current utilisation of wearable computing or if it is compatible for service applications in the industry sector. Currently, industrial service as per Aleksy et al. (2011) needs suitable data for a service instance, like error-codes, handbooks, decision trees, best-practices, and so forth. In this case, the data is gradually processed, that is because of media conversion takes a lot of time and needs lots of paper work. Practitioners in IT are well skilled to handle any form of product; however, in cases of complex service, more information, like supporting software tools as well as best practices are needed ed to resolve real setbacks at a site. Particularly during site audits, Aleksy et al. (2011) and backed by (Patel et al., 2012) information have to be gathered so as to sketch out the present state of the installed equipment. Other than safety audits or full service, tools set are utilised to measure and outline how the safety and health of the plan could be guaranteed and improved. In industries, when a need for service is identified by customers, it becomes hard for practitioners to explain the present case. The company offering the service requires information concerning the equipment that is installed faultily and possible error codes to offer the client a first clue concerning a possible answer for the present case, writes Aleksy et al. (2011). From time to time engineers in the service industry are required at the site for inconsequential cases attributed by lack of information. In this case, wearable computing as proved in Chan et al. (2012) and Dunne (2004) studies could present a substantial impact on the aforesaid areas and other sectors like healthcare. Scores of the proposed solutions in Aleksy et al. (2011) and Patel et al. (2012) intended for the military domain as well as healthcare domain have resemblance and so wearable computing can as well successfully be applied in industrial services. Even though wearable computing appeared like succeeding in the industry approximately ten years ago, costs of device these days are still a serious barrier for extensive applications. Given that the healthcare sector has enormous demand for protection and the military are pursuing efficiency as well as strategic benefits, archetypal industrial service companies cannot manage to pay for all the most modern appliances devoid of assurance of return of investment. Without a doubt, industrial services need well verified and confirmed solutions that are still to be analysed. Considering that the survey to existing studies as well as modern devices exhibits, solutions presented by wearable computing on one hand demonstrate high chances for making industrial service better, but on the other hand they appear to be short of solid base in execution methods and techniques and in showing effectiveness. A number of the key limitations for wide-scale deployment of wearable technology as highlighted in Aleksy et al. (2011) study include lack of existing infrastructure considering that the only widely deployed and functioning infrastructure was rooted smartphones, in 3G network, as well as their extensions, like App Store and iPhone. In this regard, true applications of wearable computing require something akin to the deployment platform. According to Chan et al. (2012), a platform that is easily extendable and more flexible would undoubtedly facilitate more organisations to investigate the exact potential of wearable technologies. Internet-based services like Facebook and Twitter are turning out to be increasingly fascinating for investigational infrastructures, but their industrial acceptance is limited if not deployed as closed, private networks. Due to the lack of infrastructure, wearing technologies reliability has become uncertain making it hard for industrial service companies to invest in such projects. As discussed in Aleksy et al. (2011) paper, standards for technology as well as operations in the industrial sector need steady, infrastructure that is error-tolerant, and which service personnel can rely on. Currently, the only dependable services accessible allow 3G data and phone calls transmissions. Dunne (2004) posits that the intricacy of modern ubiquitous and wearable applications needs more approaches to make possible the development of these applications in cost-effective and timely manner. This entails the capability to fusion and invisibility management, flawless assimilation of sensing technologies with ubiquitous wireless networking and handing of context data to manage these applications complexity. Even though, the aspect of complexity was already recognised as a vital feature in the wearable computer development as mentioned by Aleksy et al. (2011), still, there is inadequate all-inclusive solution as well as tool support managing this setback. Cost has been a major hurdle for wearable technologies, and so devices meant for simple use are plenty and scores of devices types are at the moment turning out to be inexpensive for wide-scale deployment. Regrettably all applications are specific on certain case which is witnessed in the industry largely as a uncertain investment for the reason that persuasive case studies are still not many. Platforms that are commercially accessible that can be grouped as wearable computing as per Patel et al. (2012) can materialize soon in business domain, but only some of the advances in this direction may be anticipated to be directly valid for industrial services. These days only particular industries have the ability to apply science trialling while others need verified cost-benefit calculations prior to deciding on investment. Briefly, so as to make inroads in wearable technology, especially in industrial sector as mentioned by Aleksy et al. (2011, more case studies have to be produced with regard to prototypes of reference system and producers of devices must improve functionality devoid of increasing costs. Furthermore, key infrastructure must be developed from IT service viewpoint so as to meet the reliability prerequisite, writes for Aleksy et al. (2011). Computers development as per Dunne (2004) has as well shown a development toward portability and mobility, from oversized mainframe computers to PCs to laptops, to personal digital assistants (PDAs), and currently to wristwatch electronics. Wearable computers have been steered nearly completely by the need for continuous access to service. Dunne (2004) defines wearable computer as a computer that is self-contained self-powered and completely functional, which is attached/worn to the body. Furthermore, as mentioned by Aleksy et al. (2011) it offers access to data, and information interaction, everywhere and at whatever time. The difference between wearable computers and wearable technology as exhibited in Dunne (2004) and Chan et al. (2012) studies is unclear considering that wearable computers are constituent of the bigger taxonomy of wearable technology, which as well consists of devices that can or could fail to compute. Generally, wearable computer are designed to have scores of the similar desktop capabilities or other computers concentrating on information accessibility, data processing, and communication. Wearables that are commercially accessible are designed to integrate nearly all of the similar laptop or palmtop processing functions with changes mainly in the output and input devices. similar market PDA’s or as laptops. Key markets for wearable electronics are industrial applications (especially for circumstances wherein the employee have to remain mobile or preserve utilisation of both hands whereas gathering data or accessing information), military application, as well as developer applications (designed kits for wearable computing developer’s hardware or software), mentions Dunne (2004). Whereas scores of wearable computers in industrial sector are wearable only by being worn on the body (normally in a backpack or belt form), Chan et al. (2012) posits that other wearable electronics are can be hidden in the clothing or on the body. The foremost acknowledged wearable computer was certainly designed as a support to con at roulette, and this device calculated odds with regard to the ball’s physical trajectory, and utilised a talker installed in the shoe to convey information to a remote collaborator who perceive the output sound as tones’ series. Even though technology integration that is visually subtle is obviously a requirement in scores of applications (like in hidden surveillance or communication), Dunne (2004) posits that it has infrequently been managed by wearable electronics designers. This is attributed partially by the connection between components’ physical size as well as functionality. Whilst wearable electronics components’; continue to decrease in size, the standard “desire for computer is increasing. For example, nearly all of the functionality and power of the 1990 computer can be easily integrated, but that capability kind as mentioned by Dunne (2004) would not be measured adequate, by current standards. As a consequence the needed size carries on being too big to integrate subtly. Still, as discussed in Patel et al. (2012) study, other wearable electronics have been created to get information from the body itself conveniently and portably. In infirmary gather sensor data reduces in getting rid of the tether and consequently the requisite of confining the patient at the hospital. Gathering physiological data for medicinal purposes has been highlighted as a sample or snapshot of the genuine physical condition. The incessant monitoring attributed by the wearable electronics changes the snapshot into a mobile picture, showing the whole realism of the bodily condition, notes Dunne (2004). Applications for health monitoring presented by wearable electronics usually make use of numerous sensors that are characteristically incorporated into a sensor network, which according to Patel et al. (2012) can either limited to sensors that are body-worn or including ambient sensors as well as body-worn sensors. Earlier when body-worn sensor networks materialised, the wearable sensors integration was realised when wires running in pockets produced as garments purposely, posits Dunne (2004). MIThril system is a good example of wearable technology, but these systems knowingly were not appropriate for lasting health monitoring. Lately developed body-adapted wearable systems incorporate entity sensors into the sensor network by means of depending on contemporary wireless technology for communication. According to Patel et al. (2012), in the last ten years or so progress that have been noticed in this domain are tremendous as well as in creation of many communication standards for wireless communication that utilise lesser power. Patel et al. (2012) posits that such standards were developed taking into account three key conditions: (i) low consumption of power, (ii) small size of the receivers and transmitters, and (iii low cost. Plainly, with the development of Bluetooth as well as IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee, Patel et al. (2012) claims that tethered systems have turn out to be outdated. The majority of monitoring applications like those used in healthcare sector need data to be collected through sensor networks, then is conveyed to a remote site like a infirmary server for medical analysis. This according to Dunne (2004) can be attained through data transmission to an information gateway (like PC or mobile phone) from the sensor network. Already a good number of developed countries have got nearly universal broadband connectivity. For remote monitoring, as stated by Dunne (2004), sensor data must be aggregated through a PC and then conveyed to the remote site through the Internet. In addition, the accessibility of mobile telecommunication standards connotes that all-encompassing incessant health monitoring is likely when the patient is within the hospital environment. According to Patel et al. (2012), cell phone technology has enormous impact on the remote monitoring systems development rooted in wearable sensors. Applications for monitoring that depends on mobile phones are turning out to be a routine. These days, smart phones are largely accessible, and the worldwide market for smart phone is rising yearly. As compared to conventional data loggers, Smart phones are preferable for the reason that they offer a practically available platform for data logging in addition to transmitting data remotely. Apart from being utilised as gateways for information, mobile devices as indicated by Patel et al. (2012) can as well function as units of information processing. The accessibility of major computing power in devices that are pocket-sized enhances envisioning of ubiquitous health monitoring as well as applications for intervention.. According to Chan et al. (2012) and Dunne (2004) efforts to develop and research smart wearable systems have been heightening both in industry and academia. Basically, the population of the world is ageing, and the young employees’ proportions in industrialised countries have begun shrinking. Aged persons have a higher disability level thanks to age-associated diseases; the need for assistance and care is growing, and this can be alleviated by constant monitoring attributed by wearable electronics. Lack of monitoring appliance can result in permanent home care admission, and this is a costly way of offering health care for aged persons, majority of who desire to stay at home, rather than at hospital. At present, between two and five percent of aged people live in nursing homes with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data from 30 countries proving that expenditures on health care are always high, because of both augmented expenses as well n due to economic slow-down. In this case, Chan et al. (2012) posits that telemedicine are novel healthcare models already being used, in attempt to bring about solutions to issues plaguing healthcare sector. Furthermore, numerous test beds, laboratory prototypes, as well as industrial products as mentioned in Chan et al. (2012) have been developed already. In this case, the role of smart wearable systems is to match the environment that people are living in with the cognitive as well as physical abilities in addition to limitations of those suffering from disabilities or diseases, thereby enhancing performance and reducing illness risk as well as inconvenience. Such systems back self-determining livelihood for the aged, patients’ postoperative rehabilitation to speed up recovery, and enhancement or assessment of entity technical or sportive abilities, writes Chan et al. (2012). References Aleksy, M., Rissanen, M. J., Maczey, S., & Dix, M. (2011). Wearable Computing in Industrial Service Applications. Procedia Computer Science, 5, 394–400. Chan, M., Estève, D., Fourniols, J.-Y., Escriba, C., & Campo, E. (2012). Smart wearable systems: Current status and future challenges. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, 56, 137–156. Dunne, L. E. (2004). The Design of Wearable Technology: Addressing the Human-Device Interface Through Functional Apparel Design. Cornell University. Ithaca, New York: Lucy E. Dunne. Patel, S., Park, H., Bonato, P., Chan, L., & Rodgers, M. (2012). A review of wearable sensors and systems with application in rehabilitation. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 9(21), 1-17. Read More