Beyond smart bands: Wearable technology to focus on healthcare, home textiles and usability

IoT Asia’s Wearable Technology track set to ignite discussions on innovating smart wearables for consumers

2 April 2015, SINGAPORE – For the first time, the IoT Asia 2015 conference will feature a dedicated track on wearable technologies. To be held next week on Wednesday, 8 April 2015 at MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO, the track aims to generate discussion around innovative intelligent consumer devices that can be worn on the body. These include health tracking and gaming devices to sensor-embedded fabric and clothing and devices that can enhance personal and workplace productivity.

There is significant potential in the wearable technology market, as is evident from IDC’s latest Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker report which expects a total of 45.7 million units of smart wearables to be shipped in 2015. IDC considers wearables that run third party application to be counted as smart wearables with other wearable devices categorized as basic wearables. IDC predicts smart wearables will grow from 4.2 million units shipped in 2014 to 25.7 million by the end of 2015.

International and regional speakers at the Wearable Technology Track will discuss the different considerations in developing and designing wearables. The track will cover two broad categories of wearables: lifestyle and consumer wearable devices, and health-tracking and monitoring devices.

Smart home textiles will be one area of focus in the track. India’s Welspun Global Brands’ Assistant Vice-President of Innovation, Mili John Tharakan, who will be presenting, Beyond Wearables – Smart Home Textiles, said, “Wearable technology is pushing for electronic components to be thinner, stretchable, flexible and washable. These new properties lend themselves for us to re-imagine the form and function of electronics to spill beyond gadgets into Fashion and Smart Home Textiles. At Welspun, we work towards the seamless integration of technology that is literally woven into the fabrics of our everyday lives."

A combination of new use contexts, design possibilities and consumer demand is also changing the way the Internet of Things and wearable technologies shape lifestyles. Jun Shen Chia, Associate Manager of Product Marketing at Razer, said, “We are excited about wearable technology and the pursuit of solutions that deliver incredible experiences and utility for our gaming fans. We look forward to taking part in the panel discussion at IoT Asia. The IoT Asia 2015 conference provides a rich and diverse exchange of ideas and inspirations for connected devices, gaming and otherwise."

Developers are also working on health-related wearable technologies that can address the needs of healthcare providers and end-users such as patients. The segment on health-related wearables will feature discussions on the challenges in designing devices for ease of use, integration and interoperability with healthcare systems. “To me the opportunity in wearable technology is to create products and ecosystems that invite consumer participation, customisation and innovation. Similar to the web, PC or mobile apps, wearable technology will only come into fruition as soon as they're designed for consumer engagement and self-expression,” said Rainer Wessler, Executive Creative Director at frog.

The closing panel, Heath-Related Wearables - The Formulae for Success, will feature speakers representing views from the insurance, investment, medical, product design and development sectors. Panellists will consider what makes such wearables useful and successful from the medical professional and patient’s perspective. Dr Low Lee Yong, Chief Executive Officer of MHC Asia, will moderate the session with panellists, Donald Farmer, Vice-President of Innovation and Design at Qlik, Hugh Mason, Co-founder of JFDI Asia Singapore, Rainer Wessler, Executive Creative Director, frog, China and Eric Ng Boon Ping, a 17-year insurance industry veteran and professional.

To register or get more information, please visit www.internetofthingsasia.com.