Wearable Research – Li Hui

AlterEgo Headset

Practice:

This headset can be used by anyone who wishes to control their devices and ask queries without speaking.

Specific Use:

The device helps to transcribe words that wearers verbalise internally without saying them out loud, using electrodes attached to the skin. When someone say something inside their head, the electrodes will make contact with the skin and the device will pick up subtle neuromuscular signals. These signals will be matched to particular words and they will then be sent into a computer. The computer can also respond through the device using a bone conduction speaker which only allows the wearer to hear it.

Mobility:

The device is worn around the jaw and chin, clipped over the top of the ear to hold it in place.

Utility vs Fashionability:

The best thing about this device is that it does not cause much disruption to the wearer’s daily life. For instance, when one wants to look up something while having a conversation with someone else, the person will be able to search for it without shifting his or her attention from the environment or conversation.

The disadvantage of this device is that users would have to wear a device strapped to their face which may not look that appealing.

Zwim

Practice:

The Zwim Goggles is used by swimmers who wishes to track their real-time data while exercising.

Specific Use:

Although there are several technologies to track your fitness data but it works differently for swimming. Watches interfere with the flow of the workout as swimmers are required to check their data in the middle of the workout. Therefore, Zwim comes with an optical heart-rate sensor that will be placed on our temple, firmly attached by the strap. Zwim also has a motion sensor that determines every turn made after completing each lap. It helps to keep track of lap time, lap count, elapsed time, the user’s heart rate and the calories burned. It also integrates a near-eye full-colour display which shows key real-time statistics.

Mobility:

This device is very convenient as it works exactly like a normal goggle, protecting your eyes from the chlorine water and at the same time, showing the users’ key real-time statistics.

Utility vs Fashionability:

Zwim allows users to customise their screen display by selecting the data they want to see.

It is considered fashionable as it looks like a normal goggle and it does not cause any disruption during the workout.

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