The Connected World: Exploring the Impact of Smart Wearables Across Industries
When you think of smart wearables, you might picture a sleek smartwatch or a fitness tracker, but this industry is evolving far beyond the basics. An increasing interest in wearable technology is seen from the astounding 21% of adults worldwide who own a smartwatch. Let’s take a closer look beyond the basics and see the forces shaping the smart wearable device industry, what’s driving its growth, and the trends.
By Aashi Mishra
Brief history and evolution of the wearable tech industry
Smart wearables have come a long way since their early days. In the 1960’s Edward Thorp created the first wearable computer. Further, the industry evolved with Casio’s calculator wristwatch, Bluetooth headsets in 2002, and a boom in devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches in 2014. What started with basic fitness trackers has evolved into high-tech gadgets that monitor health, sync with smart homes, and even enhance fashion. Today’s wearables are all about blending style with advanced tech, making them an essential part of our digital lives.
The Rise of Connected Ecosystems
Wearables are no longer just standalone devices, they’re now integral parts of larger connected ecosystems. It was estimated in 2022 that there were more than 1.1 billion wearable gadgets in use worldwide.
Whether it’s syncing with your smartphone to give you notifications or integrating with smart home devices to control your environment, the seamless interaction between different gadgets is a big part of what makes wearables so appealing. In 2020, the global wearable technology user penetration rate was 5.9%.
The future of wearables lies in the connectivity. As per observations in a survey conducted, 74% of respondents think wearing wearables and sensors will improve their ability to connect with other gadgets and the real world.
Health and Fitness: The Heartbeat of Wearable Innovation
At the core of the smart wearable boom is our collective obsession with health and fitness. But it’s not just about counting steps anymore. Modern wearables are equipped with advanced sensors capable of monitoring everything from your heart rate variability to your sleep stages.
These devices are becoming personal health assistants, giving real-time insights into our wellness and helping in making data-driven decisions about health. As per analysis, by 2020, 30% of adult Americans used wearable technology for medical purposes. On the other hand, over 80% of users were eager to discuss their results with their care provider, and nearly 50% of users rely on this technology on a daily basis. Additionally, a data published by American Heart Association states that an estimated 3.6 million people with heart diseases and 34 million people who are at risk use wearable.
With the integration of ECG monitors, blood oxygen sensors, and even features that can detect atrial fibrillation, wearables are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in personal health. In this regard, cutting-edge health functions like blood oxygen saturation monitoring and sleep tracking are included in Apple’s Series 7 model, which was introduced in 2021.
And it’s not just about collecting data- these devices are able to offer actionable advice, turning them into essential tools for anyone serious about their health.
Fashion Meets Functionality
As much as wearables are about technology, they’re also about style. The convergence of fashion and tech is more apparent than ever, with wearables being designed to look as good as they perform. In a World Economic Forum survey, 92.1% of business executives predicted that by 2025, 10% of individuals would have internet-connected clothing.
Companies are collaborating with fashion brands to create devices that people actually want to wear- whether it’s a sleek smartwatch that pairs perfectly with business attire or a fitness tracker that looks just as good at the gym as it does at a dinner party.
Customization is another trend taking hold, with users wanting to personalize their devices with interchangeable bands, custom watch faces, and more. This focus on aesthetics and personalization is helping to broaden the appeal of wearables, making them a must-have accessory for a wider audience. For instance, recently Oura and Gucci teamed to track health metrics like heart rate and sleep using fashion wearables.
Sports & smart Wearables Devices
Smart wearable devices are revolutionizing the sports industry by offering advanced performance analytics and real-time feedback. Athletes use smartwatches, fitness trackers, and wearable sensors to monitor metrics like heart rate, sleep quality, and muscle strain, which helps optimize training and prevent injuries. With regard to this, the world leader in sports-specific training goods, SKLZ, introduced SKLZ Hyper Speed, a cutting-edge wearable technology device that monitors speed, agility, and vertical leap.
Moreover, trends include enhanced integration with AI for personalized insights, improved accuracy in data collection, and the use of AR for immersive coaching experiences. These innovations are elevating performance, enhancing training efficiency, and transforming how sports are played and analyzed. In 2020, over 27 million sports wearable technology units were supplied globally, in response to the growing demand for sports technology.
Industrial Landscape The smart wearable device industry is booming, driven by advances in technology and increasing consumer demand for health, fitness, and connectivity. According to forecasts, the market for smart wearable devices is expected to reach USD 528.7 billion by the end of 2036, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.7% from 2024 to 2036. The market for smart wearables was valued at USD 64.9 billion in 2023.
With innovations in sensors, AI integration, and stylish designs, wearables are transforming personal and professional life, enhancing health monitoring, productivity, and user engagement across various sectors.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Wearables?
The future of wearables is about more than just smarter watches or better fitness trackers- it’s about creating devices that are truly indispensable. With advancements in AI, wearables will likely become even more intuitive, anticipating our needs before we even know we have them. Imagine a wearable that not only tracks your sleep but also adjusts your alarm based on your sleep cycle, or one that detects stress and suggests a quick meditation session.
Another exciting frontier is augmented reality (AR). Wearables with AR capabilities could revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us, overlaying useful information directly in our field of vision. For instance, Meta and EssilorLuxottica collaborated to introduce a new line of Ray-Ban Meta smart spectacles in September 2023. The updated glasses feature improved audio and cameras, over 150 distinct bespoke frame and lens combinations, and a lighter, more comfortable design. The potential applications, from navigating to gaming to workplace training, are vast.
The smart wearable device industry isn’t just growing- it’s evolving at a pace that’s hard to keep up with. As these gadgets gets smarter and more integrated into our daily routines, they’re becoming indispensable. So, whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone who likes the convenience of glancing at your wrist for updates, there’s no denying that smart wearables are here to stay, and they’re only going to get better.
However, for a more detailed analysis comprising regional, segmental, and industrial landscapes is required to have a broader and more precise perspective of the smart wearable device market.
Source: https://www.researchnester.com/reports/smart-wearable-devices-market/5935
