What Are Essential Factors To Consider When Developing Wearable Technology?

In a world which is increasingly connected and almost every single appliance imaginable is being connected, no market seems to be hotter at the moment than that of the wearables market.

From a few straightforward devices a short couple of years ago the number and kind of devices is growing at a pace which is expected to reach a value of $70 billion by 2024. Products range from relatively straightforward accelerometers packaged in increasingly ornate packages to devices of near medical-grade electronics designed to gather vital signs and other parametric measurements.

Wearable technology, from smartwatches to virtual reality headsets, is soaring in popularity. Many companies are producing new hardware and software in order to capture the momentum. The broad potential of the space makes it attractive however it’s essential not to rush to market without a well-considered plan.  Designing wearable hardware and software comes with both unique challenges and familiar issues that apply to every new tech project.

Here are a number of the main factors to consider when developing wearable technology.

Low Power Design

One of the most important factors that you need to consider while building a wearable device is power consumption. Low power consumption is crucial to wearable designs. Many designers are moving to low power consumption design which will make the device last longer prior to each charging cycle.

Wearables in health care manage far more complex functions such as calculating SPo2, heart rate and GPS tracking. These may consume more battery power so requiring batteries that will last for a long time, but – at the same time – fit into the form factor which has been decided upon.

Another important area of focus for low power design may be the chip you want to use. Lower geometry design may yield high performance at low power consumption, which can be a massive plus for wearable makers.

Data Privacy

Don’t avoid cyberthreats or forget that wearable devices as well as their associated apps are all a part of an expanding threat surface. Threat actors have proven that they are adept at using anything connected to the internet to compromise networks and data. App development companies need to pay attention to data privacy and develop effective security measures to protect users’ personal data, just like sites like Rush Games Casino have done.

Understanding User Needs

This discussion centres just on design considerations rather than the extremely real obstacles associated with legal, regulatory – as well as business issues – which may confront the designer. These are a necessary part of any project. The designers start by investigating the user’s needs and desired outcomes, which provides the basis for the product’s measurements. They then work with medical device professionals (like the ones at idr medical) to design a product that fits the market, while considering competitive analysis and regulatory requirements. This allows them to create a product that is tailored to the user’s needs and compliant with the regulations.

How To Attach The Product To Skin

Skin is one of the trickiest surfaces for objects to adhere to. This is good for our health however can be a challenge for a wearable that must adhere to the user. Oil, moisture, hair, stretching, and a number of other factors need to be considered early in the design process.

It’s not merely a matter of how to stick material to skin however how to do it gently as well as safely. Aspects such as Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury (MARSI), skin allergies, and follicle inflammation need to be avoided, particularly in high-risk users such as babies, the elderly as well as hospital patients.

The great news is that innovative adhesives are accessible that allow wearable devices to be effective through protecting the user’s skin. A few options include the following:

• Silicone adhesives – A soft, flexible as well as skin-safe adhesive which provides immediate bonding strength.
• Cyanoacrylate polymer – A durable, thin, breathable, and flexible film which protects skin even in challenging or wet conditions.
• Alcohol-free barrier film – Helps to reduce the risk of skin irritation when the device is removed.