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FUNCTIONS AND APPLICATIONS
DEFENSE/MILITARY
The size and light weight of wearables allows combatants to be mobile
whilst having hands free access to vital information and communication
links to databases and command personnel. Combat or other theater personnel
can wear the wearable as part of their battle dress or operation uniform.
It can also be used by support personnel, combat medics and trainers so the
time consuming process of going to and coming from a computer workstation
to access information will be eliminated. Furthermore, wearables
portability and mobility combined with a communication network makes
information available in real time, prevailing over the inefficient
distance between collecting data sources and supplying the command
facility. Thus commanders are given greater contact, control and
flexibility in dealing with their combatants. A soldier fitted with a
wearable will be able to improve his situational awareness, he will have be
able to use global positioning satellite to alert his commander and himself
to his precise location, report any critical data on possible threats, and
be in constant contact with the command to make reports, recieve orders and
order supplies.
MEDICAL
As mentioned briefly above wearables can also be applied in the medical
sector, either by medics having links with troops on the battlefield or in
trauma care centres. In trauma centres, medics are required to be
constantly mobile and hands free. With a wearable the medic can have
contact with his patient while having access to diagnosis documentation,
patient files, prescriptions, and other physician guidelines.
GOVERNMENTAL ROLES
Government policy will be concerned with possible safety and health hazards
that maybe connected with using wearables. Their are several areas of
concerns. Firstly, the effects of wearing a powerful battery close to the
users body, the hazards that arise if it leaks. Their is also the issue of
the 'private eye' the head mounted screen, what effects this can have on
the users eyesight especially after long periods of use. Safety issues are
raised when the user may become so absorbed and distracted with the
wearable, for example regulations will have to be implemented concerning
driving and using a wearable at the same time. On the other hand the
government is supportive of wearables in the field of defense, several
products have been developed and are being used by the US military and NASA
Kennedy Space Centre which would have recieved governmental funding.
Finally, government will play an important role in ensuring that the
technology of wearables developed for defense will remain national property
and confidential. Whilst no manufacturer of commercial wearables gains
monopolistic control so that the market is open and competition will reduce
the prices of the technology.
COMMUNICATION:
A wearable computer with a language translation software. The wearable
has a speech recognition module which is augmented with speech synthesis,
however, it is also able to read text and has a small attachable
computerised writting pad, 'Newton Message Pad'. Therefore the user can
input his language with speech or text, the wearable then makes the
neccessary translation and the output is also in text or speech
conversation. The actual translation module is only the size of a bar of
soap, the translation algorithms are 6x the speed of a desktop PC, and
the message pad is no bigger then you average size pad.
NAVIGATION:
'Metronaut Mobile Computer', lets the user sense information and with a
barcode reader locate position, it also allows a wide range of
communication using a two way pager so it supports navigation, messaging
and scheduling. It consumes less than one watt of power and weighs less
than a pound (0.5kg). The user can identify his location by scanning a
barcode sticker which can be attached to information boards, he can also
communicate via sending and recieving e-mails and get appropriate
directions and information displayed.
PROFESSIONAL USES:
ISAAC (Integrated Speech Activated Application Control) provides the user
with hands free control over a common office system from anywhere in the
office building. The user will be able to interact with multi-media
presentation control, e-mail and internet access. The user will wear a
headset with a wireless microphone which is a voice activated speech
response system. The self contained, light weight and low energy
interacts with a base computer located in a fixed location in the office.