The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that exchange data with other IoT devices and the cloud. Nowadays, IoT devices are used for various purposes, from everyday household items to industrial and even medical tools.
In our previous post sharing Internet usage statistics, we highlighted the rise of the Internet of Things. According to the latest data, the world is now home to more than 15 billion interconnected devices. In fact, there are more IoT-enabled devices in use than non-IoT-enabled ones. Market researchers expect the number to double and reach around 32 billion by the start of 2026.
Of course, one of the most significant factors for the growth of the IoT market is the increased Internet usage around the world. Among the different use cases for IoT devices, most were used for remote controlling, routine automation, and productivity-boosting. Another increasingly popular use case for IoT is in wearable technologies. Below, we’ll take a look at how IoT helps power modern wearable technologies:
Improved Communications
A crucial part of both IoT and wearable technologies is constant connectivity. For example, many smart glasses on the market today rely on constant Internet connectivity and have smartphone-like features to help wearers communicate with each other. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses feature a built-in camera and mic, wearers can capture images and videos without having to whip out their smartphones. The mic also lets wearers speak to the glasses’ built-in Meta AI assistant as long as you’re connected to the Internet.
Since its release in 2023, the smart glasses draw from popular Ray-Ban sunglasses designs like the Wayfarer, Headliner, and Skyler. The glasses’ frames and lenses are also available in fun, youthful colors, including the semi-translucent bluish Shiny Jeans frames and Dark Green, Dusty Red, or Dark Grey lenses. These hip design choices help make IoT technology and wearables more appealing to the younger generation. With the Meta View app installed on a smartphone, wearers can benefit from real-time connectivity, turning the glasses into a seamless extension of their smartphone.
The Potential of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
Aside from improving online communications, IoT also helps pave the way for medical and clinical wearables. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) market has been on an incline in recent years. This includes wearable fitness trackers and smartwatches that can monitor different health metrics like heart rate, steps taken, sleep patterns, and more. This data can then be synced to smartphone apps to provide users with real-time insights into their health and wellness.
An example of an IoMT device is the neuromodulation device Quell from medical device company Neurometrix. The device is the first and only FDA authorized medical device helping reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia by tapping into the wearer’s sensory nerves and providing relief from various chronic pains. With Internet connectivity, other medical wearables may also be able to send real-time health data to health care professionals for monitoring and in case of medical emergencies. With an aging population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, IoMT helps make health care and essential treatment methods more convenient and accessible for patients.
Growth of Wireless Cellular
Finally, IoT’s role in powering modern wearable technologies has led to the growth of wireless cellular usage. In an increasingly fast-paced world, on-the-go connectivity has become crucial, especially to power wearable devices. Based on a report from 5G Americas, the continuous growth of IoT ecosystems has led to strong wireless cellular expansion. Globally, the adoption of 5G connections exceeded two billion thanks to an addition of 192 million new global connections. As high-speed Internet connectivity becomes increasingly widespread around the world, this in turn powers the growth of IoT ecosystems and innovations in the wearable technologies market. High-speed Internet connectivity through wireless cellular will also improve location-based services such as geofencing and location-sharing, which can help provide users with accurate real-time data for things like weather and traffic information while keeping their hands and attention free
