Wearable+Computers

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=What is it?=

A wearable computer is a small portable computer that is __attached__ to your body. (ie. watches, glasses, hands free cellphone, etc.) People may get a wearable computer confused with a PDA. The mail difference is that PDAs are designed for handheld use whereas wearable computers are 'attached-to-your' body use. This technology acts as an adaptive technology, it makes tasks easier and more efficient for people with, or without disibilities. In some cases, wearables bridge the gap between people with accessibility issues to increase their standard of living.

//Examples of Wearable Computers//

Research
Continuous research is still being conducted on wearable computers. From mobile computing to ubiquitous computing research. Other physical aspect of the wearable computer are also undergoing continuous research. To name a few, user interface design, augmented reality, pattern recognition, use of wearables in the aid of disabilities and fashion design. (Wikipedia)

The Aid of Wearables
Wearable computers can aid people in areas that they lack efficiency or have physical limitations in. An example is someone who has cerebral palsy and lacks efficient mobility. A wearable computer with a speech recognition program can aid the person with a disibility to more effectively complete tasks.

A talking wristwatch can enable the person with cerebral palsy communicate in a way they never could before that technology. With minimal mobility, the user can select a button on the watch to express themselves.

In 1967, Hubert Upton Developed an analogue wearable that included an eyeglass-mounted display to aid lip reading (Wikipedia). High and low pass filters let the user know if the spoken phoneme was a ficative, stop, glottal, affricate, voiced or not voiced.

Not all wearables are used for the good of science. Some wearable computers were used in the aid of gambling. With toe movements to predict roulette wheels. The wearable analyzes the type of roulette wheel and balls used and can predict the quadrant of the wheel that it would land. This gives the person a 44% chance to win.

=Professor Steve Mann=

Steve Mann is internationally known as 'cyberman', a human cyborg. He was one of the first advocates and adopters of the wearable computer. He defined three fundamental properties of the wearable: One, it is worn, not carried, it is part of the user. Two, the user controls the wearable without necessary conscious thought or effor. Three, the weable operates in real time and is always active, though it may be in sleep mode. (Mann, 1997/2)


 * Professor Steve Mann of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty at the University of Toronto.

The evolution of the wearable computer, from a backpack based system of the late 1970s to a more stylish pair of computer sunglasses system.

SMCR model of Wearable computers

Extras
(provided by Wikipedia)
 * The [|EyeTap] device invented by Steve Mann
 * [|Head-Mounted Display]