How Do Wearables Work?
Medical technology has now reached the realms that resemble science fiction from decades ago. Not only do we have access to computing devices 24/7, but we can now also wear these devices.
Wearables are technological devices incorporated into items that can be comfortably and conveniently on the body and are used to gather information on a real-time basis. The growth of mobile networks and smartphones has enabled the development of wearable technology, and now in the United States, more than half of people (56%) own a wearable device. Wearable technologies can serve as innovative solutions for healthcare, such as for chronic disease management, weight control, and physical activity monitoring.
Wearable devices are equipped with IoT motion sensors that can capture the user’s daily activity and provide analytics. These sensors take user data, like movement, and translate it into digital measurements by using algorithms that look for motions resembling certain behaviors. To increase the quality of these sensors, materials like multidimensional carbon nanofibers, liquid metal and nanomaterial-based electrodes have been used. Microprocessors extract and load data into a transmittable format.
Following data collection, communication technologies like wireless sensor networks, Bluetooth, low-power Wi-Fi, and a global system for mobile communications provide connection to devices and facilitate real-time updates for users. The process of transforming raw data into useful insights is achieved through AI, which is implemented to contextualize data and generate recommendations and measurements that are appropriate for the individual and device. For example, Somatix’s SafeBeing™ is a wearable device that uses AI to collect movement data to deliver insights about fall risk, water intake, activity levels, UTI risks, and more.
How accurate are measurements from wearables? A 2018 study showed that wearable devices had a high measurement accuracy with respect to heart rate, number of steps, distance, and sleep duration. Another systematic review in 2019 concluded that commercial wearable devices are accurate for measuring steps and heart rate in laboratory-based settings, but this varies by both the manufacturer and device type. SafeBeing™ for instance, has proven value to reduce hospital readmissions and improve clinical outcomes.
Wearables have clearly penetrated our present and will shape our future in healthcare and beyond.
