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A Study on Wearable Computing

Kunal GangulyCS898A – Mobile / Wireless Communications

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What is Wearable Computing (WC)?

Technology which allows for the human and computer to interact, process data, and perform tasks as one unit.The concept of wearable computers attempts to bridge the “interaction gap” between the computer and a human.Wearable computing promotes devices that should be as natural to the user as wearing sunglasses or clothes.

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What is a Wearable Computer?

A computer that is subsumed into the personal space of the user

Controlled by the user, and always with the user – it is always on and always accessible (operational and interactional consistency)

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Definition of a Wearable Computer

A wearable computer offers all the features of a regular computing system, but is also inextricably intertwined with the wearer.

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Human-Computer Feedback LoopOperational Flow

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Fundamentals of Wearable Computing

Humanistic Intelligence (HI)

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Mediated Reality

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Humanistic Intelligence (HI) HI is the intelligence that arises when a human is

part of the feedback loop of a computational process in which the human and computer are linked. This symbiosis creates a far more powerful entity than the individual parts.

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Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)HCI typically treats the human and computer as 2 separate entities. WC extends the HCI concept where the computer can be regarded as a second brain, with it’s sensory modalities and additional senses adding to the wearer’s (paradigm shift).The idea is to move the tools of augmented intelligence and communication directly onto the human body.

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Mediated RealityIt is possible for the wearable computer to change the reality that the user is experiencing (based on user preferences) by altering sensory data.

ExamplesGiving directions to a location by highlighting the path in the user’s visionFiltering out background noises

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Click for Movie

Goal of Wearable Computing

Rather than attempting to emulate human intelligence, the main goal of the wearable computing paradigm is to produce a symbiotic relationship between the human and computer. The computer simply performs tasks at which it is much better and faster at doing.

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The Wireless Aspect

Wireless communication is an integral part of WC. Present-day WC’s use standardized communications such as:

802.11xBluetoothInfra-red

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The Hardware AspectRuggedized chassisSmall size and light-weightA WC’s function is decided by where on the body it is worn, however, head-mounted are the most commonMultiple standard connectors, such as USBInnovative power useInnovative design of components

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The Software AspectCommon Operating Systems:

Windows Linux (popular)MS-DOS

GUIs are typically minimalInstalled applications depend on the function of the deviceUse of Agents is mandatory, not optional (such as remembrance agent, context-aware agent, etc)

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Devices in the MarketMobile Assistant V (MA V)

OS - WindowsConnects to a variety of display and input types including bundled wrist-worn full keyboardIntegrated speech recognition, wireless and wired connectivityMarket: Mobile workers (doctors, salespeople, construction, etc) and students

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ServicePoint Server

OS – Windows/Linux (RedHat Professional)All features of the MA VCan function as an Access PointEnhanced Magnesium-alloy shellPowered by Lithium-Ion batteries

Devices in the Market

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Devices in the Market and under research

Sprout Spot

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Conclusion

The convergence of communication, computation, and wirelessness is inevitable. A single device will replace all separate informatic items we carry and use on a daily basis.Major obstacles: power, cooling, processing power, & lightweight components.WC remains the bastion of academia, but companies are slowly catching on.

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Q&A