Tech giants such as Apple and Google are pouring millions into what’s frequently dubbed ‘the next big thing’, while the wearables market is also courting innovation from a host of exciting start-ups. The wearables market is expected to represent at least US$2bn in revenue globally by 2018, with health and fitness trackers currently representing around 61 per cent of the sector.
The ramifications for health and wellbeing are huge. Medical institutions are already using the technology to monitor patients’ vitals – aiming to identify problems early – and there’s potential for spas and health clubs to monitor customer biometrics as well.
Wearables are infiltrating corporate wellness programmes too, as US employers harness information from health trackers to determine employees’ health insurance premiums. And many feel this is just the start for wearable tech, which has the potential for seamless integration with the Internet of Things – the advanced connectivity of devices, systems and services – as it gains momentum.
We look at the latest innovations in health and fitness wearables, to assess which ideas could leave rivals stuck in the starting blocks.
Jak Phillips is head of news at Leisure Media Email: jakphillips@ leisuremedia.com