Once artificial intelligence (AI) seemed a pipe dream but no more. It has integrated into almost every sector across the globe and wearable AI is the latest trend in AI applications.
Miniaturization and making devices smarter are the two ultimate goals of the IT industry. The AI-enabled devices that are accessible all the time without making them tiresome to carry or operate gave rise to the idea of wearable AI. It possesses a huge potential as it can be integrated with any electronic device from a smartwatch and smart glasses to bracelets and rings.
Although several companies have tapped into AI algorithm to get ahead of the market in terms of computing capacity, only a few companies have leveraged the capacity of AI by connecting to devices or the cloud. For wearable AI, it is crucial to know which kind of AI algorithm can work on the given smart device and make it into a wearable AI. The concept has already gained traction in the tech world.
In simple terms, wearable AI can monitor and analyse the user’s speech patterns, heartbeats and assess their mood and inform about warning signals. Wearable AI technology is still in its infancy and is limited to gathering information and analysing it. However, it won’t be long before we witness its applications of interacting with users in real-time.
The massive market for wearable AI
According to Allied Market Research, the global wearable AI market is expected to reach $69.51 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 26.5% from 2019 to 2026. Rise in adoption of AI assistants, developments of IoT, and integration of wireless technology drive the market growth.
The smartwatches have already earned their place in the market and given the computing powers of AI to the tiny watch on the wrist would unlock new opportunities and make the device truly useful. A simple watch would do much more than telling time and monitoring heartbeats. Apart from this, the rapid developments in natural language interfaces would result in a much powerful type of wearables and would hold the potential to replace smartphones and PCs.
When it comes to AI applications, there is no limit to imagination. With the development of deep learning chips, computing and connectivity to smart devices will not be a challenge.
Healthcare industry to benefit
Wearable devices typically deal with monitoring and analysing the user’s health data. These devices keep a close eye on health parameters and are constantly connected to both users and physicians. For instance, wearable devices are often used for elderly care. Now when combined with AI, these devices will finally be able to improve the quality of life and not just keep an eye on patient’s vitals. Another example is wearable AI for blind people. AI-based wearable glasses could help blind people to detect obstacles in their path using a variety of sensors, ultrasound and notify them to navigate such obstacles.
Researchers have explored the idea of using wearable AI to help people suffering from epilepsy and inform them about coming seizures by real-time monitoring and analysing their vitals. Moreover, autistic children can be monitored 24×7 and help better understand their moods and stressors. Such applications may seem far-fetched but the integration of AI in real-time monitoring could make health care more effective.
Wearable devices gained mass popularity as fitness trackers. Measuring heartbeats, tracking calorie count and exercise routines are the basic functions of fitness wearables. However, when combined with AI, it can inform the user about when to ear, when they should sleep to improve their sleep cycle, and how they should train to reach their set fitness goal.
Wearable AI offers convenience and it is the next step in tapping the true potential of smart devices. With supportive infrastructure, it can be the most secure, personalized, user-friendly product for tech-savvy people.
Intelligence is the only thing that separates us from other animals, on the other hand, artificial intelligence combines the computing power of many to focus on one issue at a time. It can understand the impact of vision, sound, smell, taste, and touch and use such senses to develop customized AI-driven applications. Wearable AI is still new in the market and regarded as a thing of luxury but they soon will become must-haves and would become much more than they already are.
Author Bio
Swamini Kulkarni holds a bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation and control engineering from Pune University and works as a content writer at Allied Market Research. She is deeply fascinated by the impact of technology on human life and loves to talk about science and mythology.
