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.

Wearable studio – Stephanie

Exoskeletons and Tool Belt

Have you ever wished that your heavy backpack will magically lighten with a snap of your fingers? Well, imagine how your pals in the military who have to lug around a heavy field pack. 

NSRDEC has been leading efforts towards the research of exoskeletons can reduce injuries, carrying loads and help troops move around the battlefield and cover terrains with greater ease. It’s sophisticated synthesis of technology such as artificial intelligence that is able to adjust the machinery to move seamlessly with the wearer which is a huge improvement from previous prototypes that actually resists the body’s natural movements. 

What are exoskeletons? Exoskeletons are essentially wearable robots that cover the legs and the arms. 

Although it’s currently still in development, the K-SRD uses DermoskeletonTM technology licensed from B-TEMIA, to counteract overstress on the lower back and legs when heavy loads are being carried. It supports and boosts leg capacity for physically demanding tasks that require lifting or dragging heavy loads, or walking with load on inclines or stairs. K-SRD effectively reduces fatigue and increases endurance.

In term of aesthetics,  it’s reminiscent of the 1959 book “Starship Troopers” by Robert Heinlein which is regarded as the first widely circulated work of fiction to feature military powered armour, and with new technologiesit’s a step closer to reality each day.

Nurse Tool Belt

Let’s dial it down a little and look at something that is less ‘techy’. To be honest I was quite horrified/bewildered at how little advancements or improvement there has been to the ‘tool belt’ for nurses. In fact, if you google ‘Nurse tool belt’ you will find pages after pages of shopping links for you to purchase them from, with little to no links to research or new developments with regards to new developments of the nurse tool belts. It seems like in terms of utility it is serving it’s purpose but it seems to be compromising in terms of aesthetics. Perhaps in more developed regions such as Singapore, they have moved towards ipads or tablets to record patient’s information. However, they will surely still need some basic tools with them when they do their rounds?

This semi circle tool belt is a seemingly popular design that can hold a considerable amount of things. 
This is another design that can hold very limited number of tools. 

Upon doing some quick research, there are a few things that nurses have to carry around at all times. 

  1. Stethoscope. One of the most common and essential medical items that are found in a nursing bag is the stethoscope. 
  2. Medical reference book / guide.
  3. OTC medicine. 
  4. Blood pressure monitor and thermometer. 
  5. Notebook or binder. …
  6. Smartphone or tablet
  7. Writing utensils
  8. Tourniquet
  9. Scissors and Micropore Medical Tape
  10. Hand sanitizer

Wearable Research – Low Jia Yi

A Magician’s Outfit

DVD Case Cover of magician Tony Clark’s ‘Behind the Seams’
My sketch of a magician’s outfit with all its concealed pockets

Practice:

This type of outfit is used extensively by Magicians, but can also be used by anybody else.

Specific Use:

These suits and pant trousers differ from the usual ones because they have many concealed pockets, which is essential for magicians to store many of their magical tools (like several decks of poker cards). They can also play a huge role in a magician’s magic show routine, for example, when making something disappear (hiding it) and then having it appear again in one of his/her pockets.

Mobility:

This outfit with multiple pockets is highly mobile, as the movement of the wearer will not be restricted in any ways.

Utility vs Fashionability:

I would say that this multi-pocketed outfit is both functional and fashionable. It is functional because it aids the magician in his/her work in terms of keeping his/her hands free, storing the tools and allowing the magic routine to happen. At the same time, this outfit consists of a nicely tailored suit jacket and a pair of trousers, which contributes to the whole aesthetic and magical experience of magic, which is highly reliant on showmanship.

BBQ Apron

Grill Sergeant BBQ Apron by Mouth Inc, taken from Amazon
My sketch of the BBQ Apron

Practice:

This apron can be used by anybody, but is targeted to people who barbeques a lot.

Specific Use:

This apron contains many pockets that is designed to hold the many things that one will need or want while barbequing, such as salt and pepper, tongs, and sauces. Apart from the elastic holders that can hold up to a pack of beer, the apron also comes with an attached bottle opener.

Mobility:

At first look, this apron looks like it will not hinder the wearer’s mobility much. However, actual users of this apron have reviewed it and said otherwise (as can be seen in this video).

Basically, because the apron is designed to hold so many things, many things are put into the pockets, and the weight of the items can make the apron slip down. Together with the bulkiness of the items (especially the drinks at the top), the user can be inconvenienced and have his/her movement restricted while wearing this apron.

Utility vs Fashionability:

The apron is useful in terms of being able to hold many things that are needed when barbequing food, but the slight hindrance of mobility decreases its level of utility a little. In terms of being fashionable, I think it is definitely an interesting look that makes the wearer looks like he/she knows what he/she is doing in terms of barbequing, but not that fashionable that one will wear it out in public.

Wearable Research – Brenda Tan

Roulette Shoe 

Practice it works in 

The roulette shoe was created in the late 1970s by a group of students at the University of California, who called themselves “The Eudaemons”, to help players win at roulette. To avoid potential problems with the casino authorities, they decided that the sole of the a shoe was the least conspicuous location for their creation. 

Its specific use

The roulette shoe is basically a computer within a shoe. The Eudaemons made use of two separate shoe computers – one worn by the observer and the other by his accomplice. The first, shown in the drawing above, used a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor and was worn by an observer near the roulette wheel. The observer would clock the motion of the wheel and ball using a toe-operated switch.

A prediction of where the ball would land on the wheel would be generated by the observer’s shoe computer and immediately transmitted to an accomplice. The accomplice would then feel a unique pattern and frequency of buzzing solenoids in their shoe. This would tell which octant of the roulette wheel was most likely to catch the ball and they can place their bets according to this information.

Mobility 

Due to its small size and portability, the computer was very convenient and could be transferred from one shoe to another with ease.  

Utility vs Fashionability 

The roulette shoe’s casing was made of epoxy, a material that could keep out moisture and was strong enough to create a platform that could survive the pressure of being walked upon. In addition, a separate section called the “battery boat” was built to house the batteries and was designed to be easily disconnected so that fresh batteries could be installed quickly. While the shoe had its pros, it also led to some problems. After one of the computers malfunctioned, a member suffered from electronic shocks which resulted in burns. Since then, they ceased usage of the roulette shoe.

Since the computer was meant to be hidden in a shoe, very little detail was given to its aesthetic design. It was simply wires and electronics encased in transparent container so that its user had full visibility.

UA Gemini 3 Record-Equipped Smart Shoes 

Practice it works in

These Under Armour smart shoes was made for runners who want to track their running, walking or jogging data without having to wear an extra accessory like a smartwatch or fitness band.

Its specific use

Apart from recording time, distance and pace, these smart shoes can also measure muscular fatigue and lets the user know if he is ready for a run. The user has to jump 6 times, and the  sensors and microchip embedded inside the shoes will allow the prediction of fatigue over time based on the user’s jump score. Simply put, the user can get a better idea of whether he is in good enough shape for putting in a big run.

Furthermore, the sensor inside the shoe records the users’ fitness data uses bluetooth connectivity to sync the data with the UA MapMyRun app, allowing the user to track his progress over time.

Mobility

Since the technology is all encapsulated within the shoe itself, this reduces the hassle of wearing an extra fitness accessory. All the user has to do is put on the shoes, and he’s good to go! Since the shoes are lightweight as well, it’s highly mobile. 

Utility vs Fashionability

Apart from the smart technology, the shoes also have innovative UA SpeedForm® construction moulds to the foot for a precision fit. The engineered mesh used on the tongue and toe box also enhances fit and increases ventilation. Its internal heel counter also provides seamless, lightweight support and structure.

The shoes also come in 3 different designs, making it both highly functional and fashionable at the same time.

Wearable Research – Ang Xin Yee

Chairless Chair

‘Chairless Chair’ by Sapetti

Practice it works in 
The ‘Chairless Chair’ is designed primarily for manufacturing environments where workers need to stand for prolonged periods of time. Since having a chair in manufacturing environments can pose as obstacles or safety hazards, the ‘Chairless Chair’ aims to remove such worries while providing comfort for its users.

Its specific use
It is designed as a “wearable skeleton”. The user can walk around freely and receive support when squatting, crouching or bending. This reduces the physical strain in laborious occupations, in turn reducing absences and early retirement. 

Mobility
Users can comfortably walk around and the wearable exoskeleton will provide support, instantly, should they need to go into an uncomfortable position. There is a torso harness as well as torso and thigh straps to ensure that the wearable chair fits snugly. Moreover, the seat does not disrupt the user’s movements when walking around. 

Utility vs Fashionability 
The ‘Chairless Chair’ is mainly made for the purpose of utility rather than fashionability since it looks rather tacky.

Tackle Tek Nomad Backpack

Tackle Tek Nomad – Lighted Backpack by Wild River Outdoor Gear

Practices it works in
This backpack is the all-in-one toolbox for fishermen to load their equipment.

Its specific use 
The Backpack has the following features:
– LED light
– Tray storage
– Sunglass holder
– Plier holder
– Retractable lanyard
– Front pocket
Each of the above feature has a unique purpose which allows for equipment to be properly stored and organised. Tools such as pliers, which may potentially damage other equipments, and sunglasses, which are fragile, are kept away in different compartments to protect other equipments or make it more convenient to reach to. 

Mobility
Since everything is incorporated in a bag, it is convenient to bring around and equipment is properly organised for convenient retrieval. 

Utility vs Fashionability
The Backpack is focuses more on utility rather than fashionability because of its simple design, colour and practical add-ons. It could look bulky and thus, too tacky to be fashionable.

Wearable Research – Muhammad Hazzry

BCon


Practice it works in

BCon is a motion-tracking wearable tool for built for gamers that acts as a supplement to the usual tools of a gamer- mainly the controller or the keyboard + mouse. The user ties the Bcon around his foot, which then enables him access to shortcuts by just moving his foot. At the moment, Bcon is still on Kickstarter and is scheduled for shipment in December this year.

Its specific use

Basically, it is another controller controlled by movements of your foot. By moving your foot in one of four ways – pitch up (toes up), pitch down (heel up), roll left and roll right, you can activate a certain key or a shortcut in your game. Users can map ANY keyboard key to the BCon gestures. For example, if I’m a playing a First Person Shooter game, I can pitch my foot up to reload, pitch down to sprint, roll left to throw grenades and roll right to use a med-pack.

Users can map up to SIX key presses to each gesture, which means you can have access to 24 different key presses with just one of your foot. The BCon measures the degree of movement/ rotation to tell the intended keypresses apart, all of which is fully customisable by the user.

Though intended for gamers, the developers at Gameforge also states that the BCon can also be used for other software like the Adobe Creative Suite or even Microsoft Office. This gives the user a quicker access to the various tools available.

Mobility

The BCons looks no larger than a matchbox and is claimed to be able to wrap around most footwear (even steel-toe boots!). It is definitely portable, easily rechargeable through a USB cable, and operates via Bluetooth connection. The foam cushioning at the underside of the BCon’s provides added comfort for the user,.

Utility vs Fashionability

It is only a gamer’s dream to be better at a game, and there are already tools like a gaming keyboard and mouse to aid gamers; but why stop there? The company claims that the Bcon can “improve a gamer’s speed by 17%, their precision by 23% and even reduce errors by 15%”. Undeniably, the BCon can be very useful to not only gamers, but even creative individuals. It is also worth noting that the Bcon can be a tool used for disabled gamers who are unable to game with their hands.

Fashion-wise, it looks sleek and stylish enough to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb. Though it is slightly strange to see one wearing a cube-like device on their foot, I think fashion would not matter as much because the Bcon would only be used during gaming – usually done behind a desk.

https://bcon.zone/what-for/
https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/bcon-wearable-gaming-controller-8584

Soundbrenner Pulse

Practice it works on

The Soundbrenner Pulse is dubbed as the world’s first wearable for musicians. It looks like watch and it can be worn anywhere on the body – wrist, arm, leg, and even across the chest.

Its specific use

In its essence, it is a wearable metronome to help musicians keep to a certain rhythm. It gives out vibrations on the beat, ensuring that musicians feel the beat and focus their full auditory attention to their music. Users can adjust the tempo either by turning the dial of the device, via their smartphone through the companion app, and even registering their intended tempo by tapping the device. Users can also synchronise the Pulse with 4 other devices, which would help those in bands or orchestras to keep in tempo.

Mobility

The Pulse looks just like smartwatch and it can be used as long as you’re connected to a device that has the app installed. Lightweight and portable, this eliminates the hassle of bringing a physical metronome around.

Utility vs Fashionability

In my opinion, the Pulse scores high in both utility and fashionability. In my musical experience, I’ve always found it difficult (for everyone) to always play on tempo. It’s even harder to multitask listening to the tempo/ looking at the conductor and focus on playing your part. Hence, I can see how it can be useful for musicians. Besides, their long list of testimonials from renowned musical acts speaks for itself as well!

There is not much to dislike about the look of the device. It looks conventional in the sense that it looks like a smartwatch, it emits an LED light around the face of the watch (which is super cool), minimal-looking logo right in the middle, and it just looks all-around cool.

https://www.soundbrenner.com/
https://www.trustedreviews.com/opinion/wearables-for-musicians-2932694

By: Muhammad Hazzry Bin Shafaruan (A0158578J)