Wearables

1. A new kind of skincare routine

   Due to significant spikes in chronic illnesses, health professionals and patients are increasingly relying on wearables for real-time monitoring, reporting and alerts.

   Smart patches are emerging as a convenient way to deliver drugs through the skin — particularly helpful for those with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, who need to medicate on a regular basis.

2. Tech to unleash your inner Usain Bolt

   Connected devices, which are becoming smaller and faster, are capable of monitoring all kinds of physical activities, whether it’s running, cycling, golfing, swimming or weightlifting. Athletic stars using tracking tech to give them that extra byte include Cristiano Ronaldo, Rory McIlroy and the England women’s football team.

   AI and machine learning are now increasingly able to analyse an athlete's performance, customise their training to help them reach their goals and determine whether they’re overtraining — and risking injury. The NFL, for example, has integrated this tech into player body armour that tracks over 1,000 data points via GPS and LPS transmitters. Europe’s sport leagues are playing catch up.

3. A software update for the body

   The global market for implantable monitoring devices is expected to grow to $31.5bn by 2025, largely driven by the rise of minimally invasive surgeries, the prevalence of chronic diseases and an ageing population.

   Hearables, which can enhance audio experiences by combining features of traditional headphones with advanced sensors and processing capabilities, are rapidly gaining popularity.

4. Wearables are ready to level up games

   Gaming companies looking to make games feel even more real are honing in on “haptic feedback” in wearables.

   This enables players to physically feel simulations of in-game actions, from the impact of a virtual punch to the recoil, or kickback, of a virtual gun.

5. Growing security and privacy concerns

   The growing number of internet-connected wearables presents a new cybersecurity risk, particularly for hospitals, which hold large databases of personally identifiable information.

   It’s estimated that the value of personal health data is 20x higher than stolen credit card numbers on the black market. National laws, such as those supplementing GDPR, provide some protection for individuals, but the pace of regulatory development is lagging behind technological advancement.

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