WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

MEHMET AKİF YILMAZ

ASELSAN KONYA VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL ANATOLIAN HIGH SCHOOL
PREPARATON CLASS- B / NUMBER:120
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WEARABLE
TECHNOLOGY

MEHMET AKİF
YILMAZ

ASELSAN KONYA VOCATIONAL AND

TECHNICAL ANATOLIAN HIGH SCHOOL

PREPARATİON CLASS- B / NUMBER:120

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CONTENTS

Abstract 3
What is Wearable Technology, What ara its features? 4
History of Wearable Technology 6
Advantages/ Disadvantages of Wearable Technology 8
Wearable Technology in the Defense Industry 9
Products about Wearable Technology 10
Wearable Technology products according to body sections ………………………………………………………… 11
General result ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
References ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
In recent years, wearable technology has been used in many areas of our lives.
We can see the importance of wearable technology in healthcare, military,
gaming, entertainment and many more sectors. There are some advantages and
disadvantages on the way from wearable technologies formed in line with the
needs in the past to wearable technologies that take advantage of time today.
Our wearable technology, which is still changing, offers us smart watches,
virtual reality glasses and many more products.

Keywords:
Wearable Technology, History, Wearable Devices, Product, Defense Industry,
Advantages, Disadavantages
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WHAT IS WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY, WHAT ARE ITS FEATURES?

Wearable Technology is the general name of technological devices that can be worn by
people.( https://tr.wikipedia.org/).

In recent years, innovative and creative products have become widely used in daily life
with technological progress. One group of this products which is smart wear products gain a
place in the market. Smart wear products are technological devices which can be integrated on
the clothes of users or any materials they carry on. when wearable technology products are
categorized according to the body; head, eye, arm, leg-foot, ear, body, wrist and other
products. ( Aksaray University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
Journal ,November 2017,9 (4) 99-112)

Wearable technologies are a technological development that grows rapidly within the
development of the internet and creates the impression that its social effects will spread
rapidly in the coming years. Wearable technologies; They are networked devices that collect
data, monitor activities, and whose experiences can be customized according to users' wants
and needs. These technologies can also be referred to as networked smart devices equipped
with microchips, sensors and wireless communication capabilities. (Thierer, 2015, p.1)

Features of Wearable Technology:

We can list the features of wearable technology, namely the areas of use, as follows:
*HEALTH
*ELECTRONIC
*ENTERTAINMENT
*GAME
*FASHION
*MILITARY etc.

Health: Wearable technology is often used to monitor a user's health. Given that such a
device is in close contact with the user, it can easily collect data. It started in 1980 when the
first wireless EKG was invented. In recent years, it has seen rapid growth in textile-based,
tattoo, patch and contact lens research.( Harito, Christian; Utari, Listya; Putra, Budi Riza;
Yuliarto, Brian; Purwanto, Setyo; Zaidi, Syed Z. J.; Bavykin, Dmitry V.; Marken, Frank;
Walsh, Frank C.)
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Electronic: Electronics is an emerging field of wearable technology named for characteristics

and behavior comparable to the epidermis, or outermost layer of skin. These wearables are
mounted directly on the skin to continuously monitor physiological and metabolic processes,
both dermal and subcutaneous.( Zhang, Yujia; Tao, Tiger H. (October 17, 2019).

Entertainment: Wearables have expanded into entertainment, creating new ways to

experience digital media. Virtual reality headsets and augmented reality glasses have become
an example of wearable devices in entertainment. The impact of these virtual reality headsets
and augmented reality glasses is mostly seen first in the gaming industry but is now used in
medicine and education.( UIC Online Health Informatics (in English). 17 September 2019.
Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2021.)

Game: The gaming industry has always incorporated new technology. The first technology
used for electronic games was a controller for Pong. Users' playstyle has evolved over the
centuries. The two most common game formats right now are using a controller for video
game consoles or a mouse or keyboard for PC games.( https://tr.wikipedia.org/)

Fashion: Fashionable wearables are "designed garments and accessories that combine
aesthetics and style with functional technology." Clothing is the interface to the outdoors
mediated by digital technology. It provides endless possibilities for the dynamic
customization of clothing. All clothing has social, psychological, and physical functions. But
These functions can be strengthened with the use of technology.There are some wearable
devices called e-textiles.They are a combination of textile (fabric) and electronic components
to create wearable technology in clothing. (21 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May
2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.)

Military: The technology used for training purposes within the military is essentially
wearable devices that monitor a soldier's vitals. It can measure a soldier's heart rate, blood
pressure, emotional state, etc. ensures that the research and development team can help the
soldiers in the best way possible. According to chemist Matt Coppock, it begins to increase a
soldier's lethality by recruiting different biorecognition receptors. Thus, it will eliminate the
environmental threats to the soldiers.( www.army.mil (in English). Archived from the original
on 18 May 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2021.)
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HISTORY OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

Engineers working in the medical field ten years ago mentioned being able to monitor vital
signs and send results back to t-shirts. Although smart Wearable technology appears to have a
major impact in the field of health and exercise, it has a large usage rate in the fields of
gaming and entertainment[1]. Here are the first wearable technological products:

The First Wearable Technology, Glasses: Wearable technology actually entered our lives
much earlier than expected. Before Google Glass, there were glasses called "The glasshole".
We can count glasses as the first wearable device. The fascinating history of wearable
technology began exactly 700 years ago. Before the discovery of convex glass, Emperor Nero
wore emeralds to see the gladiator fights up close[2].
Old Smart Ring: During the Quing Dynasty (1644-1911), a ring similar to today's abacus
was used, measuring 1.2 cm and 0.7 cm[2].
First Wearable Watch: The Pomander (1505) is known as the first portable watch in history.
The watch, which was very expensive at the time, was heavy and not very useful. Carrying
this watch was considered a symbol of a certain status[2].
The First Wearable Fashion Technology: The use of wearable technology in the fashion
industry is thanks to the London-based “Cute Circuit” fashion company. The "Electric Girls"
group was the first to use wearable technology in the fashion industry in history. When it
comes to the history of wearable technology in fashion, history does not only talk about
London. Before London, some trials were conducted in New York on this subject[2].
First Wearable Camera Technology: In the past, the use of pigeons for photographing was
first performed by German pharmacist Julius Neubronner in 1907. Aim; That the German
army wanted to see behind enemy lines. This technique also paved the way for wearable use
of photography and camera[2].
First Virtual Reality Headset: Morton Heilig, who became a film director in 1960, opened
the door to virtual reality with the first sub-cinema display experience. He later patented his
invention under the name of stereophonic television[2].
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[3]

First Wearable Computer: Professors Edward Thorp and Claude Shannon designed the
world's first wearable computer. The invention of these two scientists consisted of two
models. One is hidden in a shoe, the other is tucked into a matchbox. With these computers,
they were trying to predict the game results at the roulette table2.
The First Computer Plugged into a Coke: The first wristwatch-shaped calculator was
introduced by Pulsar in 1975. Only 100 of the calculators made of 18 carat gold were
produced2.

Result: When the history of wearable technology is examined, it is seen that the first
wearable device in the modern sense was invented in 1961. With the development of wearable
technology, health, military and entertainment sectors, which gained momentum in the 80s
and 90s, its development accelerated in the 2000s. With the rapid development in technology,
circuits that have become smaller and wearable products have become integrated into the
devices and goods that individuals use in their daily lives[1].

1. Ensar Arif Sağbaş, Serkan Ballı, Turan Yıldız Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Information
Systems Engineering Department, Muğla Fırat University, Mechatronics Engineering
Department, Electronics Department, Elazig.
2. https://mediatrend.mediamarkt.com.tr/
3. https://i0.wp.com/mediatrend.mediamarkt.com.tr/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/
giyilebilirteknoloji00035.jpg?w=750&ssl
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ADVANTAGES / DISADVANTAGES OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

ADVANTAGES
Wearable technologies; It makes life easier in many areas, especially in education,
health, socialization, security, and getting information. In addition, smart clothes, which are
the result of integrating electronic parts such as mobile phones, microphones, video cameras,
into clothes are also frequently preferred today. All these wearable technology advantages can
be listed as follows:
Efficiency: It is possible to increase productivity by using these technologies in
different sectors. For example, in the health sector, data can be obtained easily by using
wearable technologies, without the need for scanning or x-rays to look at patients' veins.
Utilizing Different Technologies: Devices considered as examples of wearable
technology can be integrated into different systems. Thanks to these devices, it is possible to
reduce costs and make effective use of other technologies.
Time Saving: More than one job can be done at the same time with wearable
technologies. As such, it is possible to save both time and labor.[4]

DİSADVANTAGES
* The human life, which started in the direction of traveling, seeing and examining
more, now remains connected to mobile devices. This makes life ordinary because everything
is done with a command.
* The privacy of private life will gradually decrease.
* New diseases will appear.
*When we say special glasses that we can use, devices that detect voice commands,
and phones, notifications that will surround us can tire us physically and mentally.[5]

4. https://www.getmidas.com/
5. https://www.dijitalteknoloji.net/
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WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY

Wearable technology has not only remained in social life, but has begun to shift towards a
large industry such as a military platform. It is obvious how much benefit technology has for
military services in border and residential operations. Increasing the success rate with
wearable technology has become a criterion that depends on the defense industry sector of the
countries. In this direction, the CENKER Project, which is a wearable technology product that
ASELSAN, one of the Turkish defense industry organizations, has been working on for a long
time, has taken its final form and is now very close to being made available to military
personnel. CENKER, which facilitates the communication of teams with each other in the
battlefield and places the command and control systems on a more precise and technological
system, is a big step for the future. (https://vizyonergenc.com/)

Picture 1: ASELSAN
CENKER
(https://www.donanimhaber.com/images/images/haber/91456/src/Aselsandan-askeri-
giyilebilir-teknoloji-cozumu-CENKER91456_0.jpg)
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PRODUCTS ABOUT WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

Mixed Reality Glasses by Apple: Apple's AR/VR glasses will use external cameras
that can analyze the user's hands and eyes. The user will be able to make a selection by
looking at an item on the screen and activate the item on the screen using hand gestures.
Unlike other titles, we will not see a physical controller.( https://www.donanimhaber.com/)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Golf Edition: Golf Edition smartwatches use the same
hardware as the standard Galaxy Watch 5, but with a custom color palette and watch face.
These watches also offer a lifetime subscription to the Smart Caddie app, which displays over
40,000 golf courses worldwide and makes golfing easy.( https://www.donanimhaber.com/)
TLC RayNeo X2 Augmented Reality Glasses: RayNeo X2 glasses are designed to
be used as your typical everyday glasses, meaning you can put your own prescription on the
glasses. The glasses can display information such as smart GPS navigation, automatic
translation, phone call and message notifications, as well as information such as taking photos
and videos or listening to music, by projecting microLED screens suspended in front of both
eyes.( https://technotoday.com.tr/)
North – Focals: The Focals does not provide a full AR experience- such as placing
virtual objects in your real environment, but it creates a personalized layer right in front of
your eyes. The only limitation to Focals is that they can’t work without a smartphone
connection.( https://artlabs.ai/)
Vuzix Smart Glasses: Vuzix is yet another company developing smart glasses for
consumers to wear out in public, on a daily basis. The smart glasses (there is no official name
for the CES 2021 model but in the first introductory video, they call it “Vuzix Next
Generation Smart Glasses”) is one of the first all-self-contained augmented reality smart
glasses available in the market. They are designed to mirror information from paired iPhones
or Android-compatible smartphones. (https://artlabs.ai/)
Shiftwear: Various animated images selected from the smartphone application can be
played on this screen with Bluetooth and WiFi connection. If you wish, you can reflect your
own designs or ready-made designs in the application on the screen of your sneakers and
carry a piece of creativity wherever you go. Thanks to the accelerometer and gyroscope, you
can activate the design according to your steps and foot movements. Shiftwear is a highly
developed version of our shoes that we never wanted to take off our feet when we were kids,
and the red light flashes on their heels when we step on them. Beginning its journey with the
Indiegogo campaign, which it completed with a record support ($925,952 support) in 2015,
Shiftwear has a small full HD screen with a colorful and flexible structure extending from
both sides. (https://www.dijitalajanslar.com/)
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WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO BODY SECTIONS

Head-Oriented Wearable Technology Products:
With augmented reality; It is aimed to superimpose virtual objects on real objects. In addition,
with this technology, it seems possible to interact with the video image of a real friend while
in a store alone and get ideas (Bozkurt Bekoğlu & Ergen, 2016, p.65).An example, augmented
reality helmets are made for motorcycle users. Equipped with many features that will increase
the experience of motorcycle drivers, the helmet is developed with a 180-degree real-time
blind spot camera, keeping the user's safety completely at the forefront. It can also benefit
from features such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, hands-free voice calling and
music broadcasting system. (http:// www.teknolo.com)
Eye-Oriented Wearable Technology Products:
Smart glasses are like a mini computer containing high definition images of the outside world.
It has internal and external sensors that can collect data from computers, smartphones and
other electronic devices. Moreover, thanks to the wireless connection of these devices that
supports GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, users can connect to the internet and browse and watch
videos over the internet. Some smart glasses; It also includes face recognition software, built-
in cameras, GPS and other applications (Schweizer 2014, p.2).
Arm-Oriented Wearable Technology Products:
Medical smart suits are designed to collect various data about the human body in health
applications, to detect changes and react when necessary. Considering the rate of body contact
with clothing, it can collect more personal data than other wearable technologies. While
wearable technology smart tattoos can be used as touch surfaces that can access the interface
of mobile devices, they can also be used as indicators that can show body temperature and
various body indices, or as electronic IDs (Sezgin, 2016, p.409).
Ear-Oriented Wearable Technology Products:
Smart headphones are headphones that you will not need an extra device to listen to music
with their internal memory, have the capacity to store popular songs on them, connect to all
smart devices via bluetooth and listen to the music on them with excellent sound quality.
There are optical touch controls on the outside of the earphones, and there is no need to use
any external device to access the functions. You can browse music or check exercise progress
by tapping and dragging the face of the earbuds. This easy access point provides convenience
while doing physical activities (http://www.teknotalk.com).
Leg and Foot-Oriented Wearable Technology Products:
The smart socks Owlet, which is the project of Jacob Colvin, an academician at Brigham
Young University, can be said to have started a new era in the health sector. The product,
which is used for babies, enables the baby's heart rhythm and body temperature to be followed
from smart phones. Owlet, which started to be used in hospitals, achieved a turnover of
65,000 dollars, and it was announced that if the enterprise reaches a turnover of 100,000
dollars, mass production will begin (Boyacıoğlu, 2015, p.1).
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Body-Oriented Wearable Technology Products:

In smart jackets, users can connect with their smartphones and perform many functions such
as detecting movements, answering calls, changing music, and getting directions with the
special part on the wrist. (www.milliyet.com).
Wrist Oriented-Wearable Technology Products:
Activity monitors, fitness trackers, or activity trackers are often worn on the wrist. The main
functions of these monitors are to monitor the basic characteristics of the body (heart rate,
blood pressure, concentration levels, etc.). These products offer recommendations such as
increasing the exercise level or going to the doctor (Coşar, 2016).
Other Wearable Technology Products:
It can be said that the most interesting among wearable technology products are smart
implants. Implants are products that will always be with the person no matter where they go
or what they do. It can be used by placing it in the body by surgery due to health reasons such
as insulin problem, birth control, and blood pressure problems (Ulusoy, 2017).

GENERAL RESULT

Wearable technology can be used in all areas of our lives and saves us time. Sometimes this
time advantage also brings some disadvantages. Wearable technology is a contribution to
technology with all kinds of products. When we look at its history, we see that wearable
technology has emerged in line with a need. Wearable technology, which will also carry the
defense industry forward, will make further progress.
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