Emerging Trends Body Wearable Computers
Emerging Trends - Body Wearable ComputersIntroduction
Wearable computing facilitates a new form of human-computer interaction comprising a small body-worn component that is always on and always ready and accessible. This 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. A wearable computer is a computer that is intertwined into the personal space of the user, controlled by the user, and is always on and always accessible. Most notably, it is a device that is always with the user, and into which the user can always enter commands and executes a set of such entered commands. Unlike these other wearable devices that are not programmable, the wearable computer is as re-configurable as the family desktop or corporate mainframe computer. This is what sets the wearable computer apart from other wearable devices such as wristwatches, regular eyeglasses, and wearable radios.
Identification
The best definitions probably given to date are those of Steve Mann. Steve Mann is a self-appointed, and none opposed leader in the body wearable computer field. To avoid confusion and changing the meanings of Steve’s definitions I included them in their entirety from Steve Mann’s Keynote Address, 1998.
“Constancy, the computer runs continuously, and is “always ready” to interact with the user. Unlike a hand-held device, laptop computer, or PDA, it does not need to be opened up and turned on prior to use. The signal flow from human to computer, and computer to human, runs continuously to provide a constant user-interface.”
“Augmentation, traditional computing paradigms are based on the notion that computing is the primary task. Wearable computing, however, is based on the notion that computing is NOT the primary task. The assumption of wearable computing is that the user will be doing something else at the same time as doing the computing. Thus the computer should serve to augment the intellect, or augment the senses.
“Mediation, unlike hand held devices, laptop computers, and PDAs, the wearable computer can encapsulate us. It doesn't necessarily need to completely enclose us, but the concept allows for a greater degree of encapsulation than traditional portable computers.”
Steve goes on to emphasize that we need this encapsulation and it is extremely important to the success of body wearable computers. Encapsulation offers solitude as an information filter, which allows us to block out material we might not wish to experience or desire to replace with different media. Body wearable computers essentially can simply allow us to alter our perception of reality.
Mediation through privacy will allow us to block or modify information leaving our encapsulated space, in the same way that ordinary clothing prevents others from seeing our naked bodies. The wearable computer may, for example, serve as a medium for interacting with untrusted systems, such as third party digital anonymous cash “cyberwallets”. Steve Mann had...
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