A while ago, Christian blogged about the new Google Glass and different aspects regarding data glasses in general. In the past two years wearables were part of the technological progress and became more and more present in our daily lives. Since the recent launch of the Apple Watch, wearables are yet again present in the media. Lots of people don’t keep in mind, that it wasn’t actually Apple that invented this kind of technology. The first Smartwatch was launched in 2011 by a company called ‘Pebble’.

Instead of taking your phone out of your pocket, only a quick look at your watch is needed to be up-to-date again. The user is provided with an overview of new messages or upcoming appointments. Depending on the manufacturer, the functions range from the use as a simple pedometer up to an advanced fitness tracker with an integrated pulse sensor. Most of the devices save the progress made during a specific time period in a data base or an app. This helps to track the level of fitness and see if you have achieved your predefined daily goals. The market is widely spread; it ranges from major fitness brands, software no-name manufactures and also one of our own clients, Fitbit.

Greater interest is taken in the B2B sector which means the use of wearables in companies. The University of Bremen develops a line called ‘wearIT@work’. Those devices are supposed to optimize the working processes. The original source for this idea was the experiences made while maintaining tower cranes in the steelworks in Bremen. In order to simplify the work in this height, scientists started to develop a data glove called ‘Glovenet’. It has a built-in RFDI scanner which scans chips located in the cranes and thus is able to recognize the exact position of the worker. Besides the glove, the worker is equipped with a data class and a minicomputer. Those gadgets are needed because after verifying the position, the data glass is able to project the necessary data for this location via the minicomputer on the glass. By using this technique, it saves a lot of time and more efficient work is practicable.

Not only companies, but also fire departments see a high potential in those technical innovations. Up to now, it is a big issue to maintain good communication between the officer in-charge and the fire fighters during an operation. When integrating chips in protective clothing the moves of the person wearing it is traceable. In Paris, this thought was put into practice. The firefighters are wearing gloves that transmit handsignals to the officer in-charge. One step further goes another company that develops devices for monitoring the human body. Instead of wearing any chips or gadgets, a simple pill has to be swallowed. With the use of a temperature sensor, the vital functions are tracked and give a brief information about the well being of the person. In Australia this method was already tested and approved as useful.

A different approach is made in Sweden by scientists; instead of visibly wearing or swallowing a chip, it is implanted under the skin between thumb and index finger. In the near future, no keys or codes are needed. The implant functions as door opener, tracker of working hours and even as money for paying the daily lunch. In terms of security, this means that only employees with such a chip are able to access anything regarding the company – well only until they are counterfeit and a complex actualization is needed. Regarding legal effects, the implant of chips is not fully determined. Is it possible to force employees in order to maintain their jobs? What happens when somebody leaves the company or is fired?

Seeing all this development, I am asking myself where the line between efficiency and surveillance is drawn. Is it really necessary to implant a chip with the only use that keys and passwords are reduced? Well, one thing is sure: the progress keeps improving and smart devices do not only ease our lives, but a lot of potential lies in their professional use. By using wearables many lives can be saved and processes can be reduced. Having this thought in mind, I am curious what kind of innovations are to be expected over the next years.