The unmatched pace of technological revolution has altered our lives in a way one could have never imagined. From Internet of things (IoT) and home automation to driverless cars and wireless charging, the world around us is buzzing with advanced tech solutions and gadgets, some of which are yet to come into existence. We live in a technological era where we constantly switch between multiple devices in a span of 24 hrs.

Over the years, we have witnessed manifold innovations in the tech world. However, the one sector in which tech has made incredible advancement is Healthcare. It is revolutionizing the entire industry right from hospital tech and wearables to mobile apps and social networks. While it might be not as beguiling as VR or Robots, it is inevitably impacting the way we live in a much greater way.

Back in the 90’s, the word “wearable” would have evoked images of fashionable and trendy garments, well-tailored suits or super-light clothing for activities like running, cycling etc. Today, wearables have been deemed as game-changers due to the implacable advancement of digital systems. It’s no longer about ‘stylish clothing’ but, ‘smart’ clothes and accessories that are crafted with added functionality. They keep us aware of the happenings and fitness levels, thus enhancing our lifestyle.

With the advent of wearable devices, consumers can access their medical history- monitor glucose levels, blood pressure levels, breathing rate, heart rate, stress levels and even take tests at home. Smart watches, smart clothing, necklaces, pedometers, smart wristbands, clip-ons and other wearable devices have become an important part of healthcare industry that help us carry out a more active & healthy way of life.

Wearable devices represent a huge opportunity for digital to disrupt the industry. They are ideally positioned to transform the management of both chronic and preventable diseases. From a cost perspective, they have been implemented to facilitate reduction in healthcare costs, increase awareness towards the health condition of users and provide them better flexibility.

Intervention, the increasing focus on prevention rather than cure has become a key trend in healthcare. There has been a rise in sedentary lifestyles which imposes an unsustainable burden on healthcare provision. Galvanised by wearable tech, consumers are vigorously looking for the means to improve their health and prevent diseases which in turn is changing the dynamics of the patient-doctor relationship. It is incredible how data on human health can now be collated to a level that was never imagined or made possible before, whereas innovations in the digital space - machine learning and adaptive algorithms offer reliable predictors for the risk of diseases.

With the ability to transform the entire healthcare system, wearable biosensors are completely changing how wellbeing, fitness and medical physiology are monitored

With the ability to transform the entire healthcare system, wearable biosensors are completely changing how well being, fitness and medical physiology are monitored. Infact, medical and health technology is one of the few industries which is truly capable of affecting our day-to-day activities and everyday lives. From monitoring our heart rate to eliminating period pain, we can use smart machines to learn when we are sick and when we are absolutely fit and healthy.

The potential success of these smart devices relies on the fact that Individuals already place high value in the garments and accessories they buy. Now they have the option of customising their choices with new and varied electronic features, which can further be tailor-made to meet their specific requirements. This will only accelerate the growth of this market which is estimated to be $70 billion in 2025. Beside the ‘biggies’, there are a number of smaller players who have ventured into the market and are building a number of consumables and wearables to help manage ongoing health conditions.

There has been an exponential boom in wearables which has improved our lives in a way that no other technology can. The female health market is on the rise in prevalence within health wearables with a number of products being targeted at them like devices for menstrual cramps, smart undergarments with embedded sensors to support ongoing management of breast health and also detect early signs of diseases like cancer. Even though the amount of innovation we’re experiencing in the market of wearable technology today is enormous, there’s huge potential for more effective, efficient, and affordable products that can manage chronic diseases and most important public health concerns like heart disease and diabetes.

Wearables are unquestionably here to stay for long and the future looks even more exciting. Being fuelled by innovation, we are yet to witness the major breakthroughs in this space. Although the IoT industry is at its nascent stage, it will mature with time, so will the wearable technology promising a much better life. By 2020, Internet of things (IoT) will impact our everyday lives in a massive way together with a growing dependency on wearables that will help us with all our functions. With the logical progress of the cloud and big data, wearable technology will become a vital part of the ‘Internet of things’. The whole idea is to develop sensor-equipped ‘things’ to communicate with one another in proficient and significant ways. They will react to the user’s presence, actions, and commands rather than providing them with only real-time health data or an augmented view of the world. There will be no one left untouched by this technology.