Analyzing the Evolution of Wearable Technology and its Impact

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of wearable technology, examining its applications, advantages, and disadvantages in the business landscape. It delves into ethical considerations, including security concerns and privacy risks, and explores the positive and negative economic effects of wearable devices. The report also discusses public opinion and political influences affecting the acceptance of this technology. Furthermore, it investigates the historical trends and future direction of virtual reality (VR) as a key aspect of wearable technology, highlighting its potential applications in business analytics. The study emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and risk assessment for organizations considering the adoption of wearable technology to mitigate potential security breaches and ensure responsible implementation. This student contributed document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide range of study tools and resources.

Title Page
The Evolution of Wearable Technology
(By Wilfrid Homere)

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
Abstract
Today, wearable technology has been given to us as an additional tool that many have
people perceived to be of great use. Various organizations are starting to use this technology to
their advantage. Their approach for employing this technology can be for different reasons such
as to provide a different way of communication or for assisting them with their various tasks.
According to various researches, wearable technology has impacted the lives of many
individuals as well as various organizations. It is also interesting to note that many individuals seem
to be relying on wearable devices to either improve their health or for other reasons they see fit. As
people continue to depend on this technology, various organizations also continue to see this
technology as an added tool which contributes in how they communicate with their business,
acquaintances among other things.
The goal of this paper is to discuss the evolution of wearable technologies which involves
these following points:
 To provide a general discussion of this technology in terms of what it does and how it
works
 To point out its benefit and drawbacks,
 To discuss the positive economic effect of this technology
 To discuss the potential ethical consideration.
 Public opinion on wearable devices
 The political implication and influences that play an ethical role in the acceptance of this
technology
This paper will also discuss the Virtual reality, which is a type of wearable technology, along
with the future application of it in the field of business analytics. Virtual Reality is the most
Page 2

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
luxurious approach towards the enhancement in the technological world. The overall strategy
may be seen over the gaming world, but this advancement has taken command over many fields
ranging from military to medical treatment. This discussion focuses on these following areas:
 Historical or previous trends
 Future direction and roadmap of this technology
Page 3

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................5
Application trends:.......................................................................................................................6
Advantages of application trends:...............................................................................................6
Disadvantages of wearable technologies:....................................................................................8
Current or potential ethical considerations:.....................................................................................9
Positive or Negative economic effects:.........................................................................................12
Current or potential ethical considerations:...................................................................................14
Public opinion on the technology:.................................................................................................15
Political implication & influences that play an ethical role in the acceptance of this technology:
.......................................................................................................................................................18
Effectiveness of the initial planning and risk assessment:............................................................19
Virtual Reality...............................................................................................................................20
Past Trends of Virtual Reality.......................................................................................................20
Future Direction and Roadmap of VR Technology.......................................................................22
Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................23
References:....................................................................................................................................25
Page 4

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
Introduction:
When comparing many years back to the present time, we can quickly consider
the fact technology is changing the business landscape. Because of this evolution, today, we have
the luxury of using mobile devices, such as cell phone, tablets, and PCs, which have allowed us
to do more than we could ever imagine in the past decades. Various companies have already
exploited these different devices as an alternative way to communicate with their colleagues and
clients to meet their business objectives. As technology continues to evolve, there is a demand
for more of it. Companies and consumers alike are demanding better products or services to
make their lives even more comfortable. As a result, today, we have what is known as wearable
technology which helps meet some of these demands. It would not be surprising for some
people to wonder what wearable technology is and how it works. Although we recognize the
name provides a hint of what it is, that does not tell much about it. As the name suggests,
wearable technology is a device you wear; however, there are significant differences (Sung,
2015). One important thing to note is that many of these devices can be connected to the
Internet, through your wi-fi, to allow you to communicate with other people or systems, browse
the internet as you would typically do on a smartphone or PC.
This paper will also talk about the Virtual Reality. Virtual Reality is the process of
computerized simulation of a three-dimensioned environment where a person can have a realistic
experience of that particular simulated environment physically with the help of devices such as
headsets or sensor fitted gloves (Berg & Vance, 2017). This technology is gaining huge
popularity among the gamers as it let the players be in the situation where they can have an
experience as if they are inside that gaming arena. The focus of this report is to discuss the
historical or previous trends of Virtual Reality and its future course of application. The report
Page 5

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
will consider Virtual Reality accessories as the associative part for the fulfillment of the
discussion.
Application trends:
Most wearables are wrist-worn, however, an expanding number can be attached to the
body and stuck around the neck. Wearables are rapidly mixing with jewelry, and are worn in
similar fashion (Sung, 2015). For example, one of these wearable devices can be a digital watch
which serves for various purposes. Aside of its primary goal of helping you to keep track of the
time, as Sung, (2015) indicated, it will also “help you to achieve goals such as staying fit, active,
losing weight or being more organized,” among other things. Another type of wearable device
can be glasses that you can wear to have a better visualization of certain objects in a specific
location. In terms of how wearable devices work, head-mounted display and glasses, for
example, can have cameras connected to their components to allow you to track and monitor
movements of specific objects (Marabut, 2017). Likewise, sensors can be connected to those
gadgets to allow you to monitor movements in a location (Marabut, 2017). Many of these
sensors are capable of tracking motion, movement of the brain, heart, and muscle (Marabut,
2017). Small computers are also integrated inside some wearable devices in the same manner
smartphones contains small chips inside of them, to allow you to interact with other objects in
the location (Marabut, 2017).
Advantages of application trends:
With this revolutionized technology, wearable gadgets such as smartwatches, smart
glasses, smart ID badges, and activity tracker that have been pushed out to the general public
appears to resonate well with numerous organizations. Based on research, “81 percent of the
2,400 U.S.-based CIO’s surveys expect wearable computing devices such as watches and glasses
Page 6

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
to become common workplace tools” (Violino, 2015). The explanation behind this is
straightforward: wearable devices seems to be doing a great job at improving our lives more
significantly, given their efficiency in meeting our various needs. As Violino (2015)
acknowledges, wearable gadgets are probably going to wind up the tool. It's getting to be one of
the hot new patterns in corporate innovation: wearables the work environment (Violin0, 2015).
More workers are utilizing gadgets such as smartwatches, Health monitors and
augmented reality glasses (Violino, 2015). Accordingly, IT and business officials need to think
about the advantages just as the difficulties of enabling representatives to utilize these
innovations at work (Violino, 2015). As experts have identified, one of the various advantages
of the wearables is that they can help make employees progressively effective in situations where
seconds and minutes matter (Violino, 2015). With these gadgets, "Individuals don't have to stop
what they are doing to check a screen" (Violino, 2015). From the perspective of business
efficiency and quality of work, according to Cohen (2016), wearable technology include the
following advantages:
 High tech associations are publicizing the utilization of these cool devices to pull in and
enlist the new millennial workforce, who we realize demand that this forefront innovation
be available in their work environment.
 Numerous associations are supportive of and notwithstanding providing wristband
screens, for example, Fitbit™, to their representatives, at last taking into account a more
advantageous workforce and diminished therapeutic services expenses to the business.
 Remote field specialists are utilizing smart glasses to take pictures and even record
videos which are expanding performance and settling on resolving a large number of
their difficulties a lot quicker.
Page 7

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
 Repair workers utilize smart glasses in extremely remote areas; being sans hands-free
enable them more prominent portability in tight spaces.
 Employees that need the utilization of two hands are utilizing smart glasses so they can
see guidelines or get help from managers as they lead high-risk assignments.
 Doctors and surgeons can wear savvy glasses for real-time counseling when they need a
“second opinion.”
 Managers can utilize smart glasses to video record and analyze employee performance.
They can assess a mechanical production system employee’s procedure and mentor and
tutor their representatives from the data assembled.
In fact, hospital staffs (medical caretakers and specialists) have already been using gadgets such
as smart eyewear for improving how they access their patients’ record (Laudon, 2018, p. 183).
Additionally, given the fact smartwatches are fit for sending/receiving email, instant message,
calendar alert, and have other important features that can be considered business related, as
professional recognize, various companies are already using these features to be more
competitive. So, based on all these considerations, I think many organizations have reasons to be
excited about wearable technology.
Disadvantages of wearable technologies:
While wearable devices are beneficial to many organizations, these devices have their
disadvantages. As Cohen, Nancy (2016) has pointed out, the fear is "all about espionage— the
covert and sometimes illegal practice of investigating competitors to gain a business advantage.”
Wearables devices can empower corporate agents to gather privileged exchange insights,
prohibitive rights for formulas, marketable techniques for new products, plans for improving
forms or other secret data (Cohen, 2016). On the opposite side of the coin, there is likewise a fear
Page 8

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
of workers wearing certain wearable technology such as smartwatches, which can be used to
record meeting dialogues, or to connect those devices into an organization system, potentially
letting viruses or malware into the organization's network (Cohen, 2016). Furthermore, secret
organization data or property could be downloaded onto the gadget presenting the organization
to the danger of data infringements (Cohen, 2016). This could incorporate client or seller data,
social security numbers, locations or credit card numbers (Cohen, 2016).
In recognition of the bad side of wearable technology, which clearly has to do with a
security concern, I think a company that finds wearable technology attractive for its premises
should consider having a good plan in place before using the technology. As Cohen (2016)
concurs, to take this approach, an organization must come up with a comprehensive policy that
will speak about the behavior that is expected from its employees for using any of those devices.
Additionally, appropriate training needs to be considered for all staffs at every level (Cohen,
2016). These measures are essential to, at least, mitigate the privacy risk situation and any
potential damage to companies’ system.
Current or potential ethical considerations:
Many people and organizations alike are taken advantage of wearable technology to meet
their particular needs. Based on research, wearable devices have had a remarkable effect on
health care for both patients and suppliers, and it's reasonable to say this impact will continue as
the innovation keeps on progression (Wearable devices, 2016). Wearable devices are not merely
Fitbit and Apple watch that are known to do a decent job at counting the steps people take or the
calories they consume during the day, but wearable technology is now developing into things
such as “implantable” software that counteracts seizures and small, “ingestible” PCs that
mechanically gather and transfer information to doctors (Wearable devices, 2016). The
Page 9

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
development of shopper sensors in health care is a major win, considering how that diminishes
the weight of information assemblage (Wearable devices, 2016). The fewer inquiries we need to
make, the better (Wearable devices, 2016). Purchaser sensors and self-evaluations are only the
beginning of numerous “combinable” innovations that will lessen the time required to gather
important results information (Wearable devices, 2016). Passive information gathering likewise
enhances the “doctor-patient experience,” prompting to more familiar dialogue among doctors
and whom they assist (Wearable devices, 2016).
As experts predict, wearable devices are changing the healthcare economic. There are two kinds
of wearable gadgets: the ones doctors recommend for monitoring explicit information and the
ones customers purchase for tracking extensive data such as sleep quality, heart rate and degree
of movement (Wearable devices, 2016). Both of these device categories are exceedingly
prevalent, and in 2013 the market for every wearable gadget was around $5 billion. By 2021, the
market is anticipated to surpass $17 billion (Wearable devices, 2016).
As the market progresses, wearable innovation will have an undeniably huge effect on healthcare
services in two major fields:
• Transition of payment models: The change to value-based payment models will depend
on a blend of “objective measurement and subjective interpretation” (Wearable devices, 2016).
The most limited way to gathering “objective data is passive collection” utilizing the client
wearable gadgets (Wearable devices, 2016).
• Commoditization of health assessments: Proposed wearables will likewise help make
health evaluations – like blood pressure diagnosis and blood panel screening – an aggressive,
Page 10

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
“direct-to-patient market” (Wearable devices, 2016). The flood of commoditized information
will incredibly help medical "decision-making" and put us on the way to another period in
healthcare– one when evidence-based, personalized medicine is standard (Wearable devices,
2016).
As the Healthcare industry moves toward value-based payments over "fee-for-service models,"
suppliers will require to gather as much patient-detailed information as needed to maintain
(Wearable devices, 2016). Wearables gather this information inactively, making it simpler to
meet Merit-Based Incentive Payment System and Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization
Act rules for patient-detailed result processes (Wearable devices, 2016). The more patients draw
in with recommended and customer-accessible wearable gadgets, the more educated and
involved they become in their own healthcare (Wearable devices, 2016). This won't just improve
doctor and patient connections, but also produce a fresh economic model to coordinate the
changing scene of significant valued-based medicinal services (Wearable devices, 2016).
Having a comprehensive source of objective patient information can help hospitals save
money and enhance their quality of care in a variety of ways—some of which include the
following:
1. Have a robust framework to gather and report information with insignificant staff assets:
Passive information accumulation and reporting can diminish costs just if a strong foundation is
driving it (Wearable devices, 2016). Web administrations can assist with the automation
procedure to decrease the need for staff resources (Wearable devices, 2016).
2. Integrate admonitions to counteract readmissions and futile treatments: Wearables are as
of now being utilized to avoid readmissions by enhancing post-operative care management
Page 11

The Evolution of Wearable Technology
(Wearable devices, 2016). Passive data accumulation empowers physicians to concentrate on
patients that have a warning sign of readmission, for example, side effects of treatment
disappointment, to make post-operative care increasingly productive (Wearable devices, 2016).
Positive or Negative economic effects:
As experts predict, wearable devices are changing the healthcare economic. There are two kinds
of wearable gadgets: the ones doctors recommend for monitoring explicit information and the
ones customers purchase for tracking extensive data such as sleep quality, heart rate and degree
of movement (Wearable devices, 2016). Both of these device categories are exceedingly
prevalent, and in 2013 the market for every wearable gadget was around $5 billion. By 2021, the
market is anticipated to surpass $17 billion (Wearable devices, 2016).
As the market progresses, wearable innovation will have an undeniably huge effect on healthcare
services in two major fields:
• Transition of payment models: The change to value-based payment models will depend
on a blend of “objective measurement and subjective interpretation” (Wearable devices, 2016).
The most limited way to gathering “objective data is passive collection” utilizing the client
wearable gadgets (Wearable devices, 2016).
• Commoditization of health assessments: Proposed wearables will likewise help make
health evaluations – like blood pressure diagnosis and blood panel screening – an aggressive,
“direct-to-patient market” (Wearable devices, 2016). The flood of commoditized information
will incredibly help medical "decision-making" and put us on the way to another period in
Page 12