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Sustainable Wearables: Wearable Technology for Enhancing the Quality of Human Life

Author

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  • Jaewoon Lee

    (Department of Digital Media, Graduate School, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06978, Korea)

  • Dongho Kim

    (Department of Digital Media, Graduate School, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06978, Korea)

  • Han-Young Ryoo

    (Division of Digital Media, Graduate School, Ewha Woman’s University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Korea)

  • Byeong-Seok Shin

    (Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea)

Abstract

This paper aims to elicit insights about sustainable wearables by investigating recent advancements in wearable technology and their applications. Wearable technology has advanced considerably from a technical perspective, but it has stagnated due to barriers without penetrating wider society despite early positive expectations. This situation is the motivation behind the focus on studies by many research groups in recent years into wearable applications that can provide the best value from a human-oriented perspective. The expectation is that a new means to resolve the issue can be found from a viewpoint of sustainability; this is the main point of this paper. This paper first focuses on the trend of wearable technology like bodily status monitoring, multi-wearable device control, and smart networking between wearable sensors. Second, the development intention of such technology is investigated. Finally, this paper discusses about the applications of current wearable technology from the sustainable perspective, rather than detailed description of the component technologies employed in wearables. In this paper, the definition of sustainable wearables is discussed in the context of improving the quality of individual life, social impact, and social public interest; those wearable applications include the areas of wellness, healthcare, assistance for the visually impaired, disaster relief, and public safety. In the future, wearables will not be simple data trackers or fun accessories but will gain extended objectives and meanings that play a valuable role for individuals and societies. Successful and sustainable wearables will lead to positive changes for both individuals and societies overall.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaewoon Lee & Dongho Kim & Han-Young Ryoo & Byeong-Seok Shin, 2016. "Sustainable Wearables: Wearable Technology for Enhancing the Quality of Human Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:5:p:466-:d:69799
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    Cited by:

    1. Lusha Huang & Newman Lau, 2020. "Enhancing the Smart Tourism Experience for People with Visual Impairments by Gamified Application Approach through Needs Analysis in Hong Kong," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Farnad Nasirzadeh & Mostafa Mir & Sadiq Hussain & Mohammad Tayarani Darbandy & Abbas Khosravi & Saeid Nahavandi & Brad Aisbett, 2020. "Physical Fatigue Detection Using Entropy Analysis of Heart Rate Signals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Papa, Armando & Mital, Monika & Pisano, Paola & Del Giudice, Manlio, 2020. "E-health and wellbeing monitoring using smart healthcare devices: An empirical investigation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    4. Kim, Ki-Hun & Kim, Kwang-Jae & Lee, Dae-Ho & Kim, Min-Geun, 2019. "Identification of critical quality dimensions for continuance intention in mHealth services: Case study of onecare service," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 187-197.
    5. Man Lai Cheung & Ka Yin Chau & Michael Huen Sum Lam & Gary Tse & Ka Yan Ho & Stuart W. Flint & David R Broom & Ejoe Kar Ho Tso & Ka Yiu Lee, 2019. "Examining Consumers’ Adoption of Wearable Healthcare Technology: The Role of Health Attributes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, June.
    6. Gjulio Ashta & Serena Finco & Daria Battini & Alessandro Persona, 2023. "Passive Exoskeletons to Enhance Workforce Sustainability: Literature Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26, April.
    7. Xin Liao & Dongming Wu & Qianqian Zhang & Ge Han, 2021. "How to Improve Users’ Loyalty to Smart Health Devices? The Perspective of Compatibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-17, September.
    8. Calautit, Katrina & Nasir, Diana S.N.M. & Hughes, Ben Richard, 2021. "Low power energy harvesting systems: State of the art and future challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    9. Inje Cho & Kyriaki Kaplanidou & Shintaro Sato, 2021. "Gamified Wearable Fitness Tracker for Physical Activity: A Comprehensive Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-15, June.
    10. Olga Gurova & Timothy Robert Merritt & Eleftherios Papachristos & Jenna Vaajakari, 2020. "Sustainable Solutions for Wearable Technologies: Mapping the Product Development Life Cycle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-26, October.
    11. Ilaria Pigliautile & Guido Marseglia & Anna Laura Pisello, 2020. "Investigation of CO 2 Variation and Mapping Through Wearable Sensing Techniques for Measuring Pedestrians’ Exposure in Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-14, May.
    12. Rainer Alt, 2020. "Electronic Markets on sustainability," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(4), pages 667-674, December.
    13. Song, Chie Hoon & Elvers, David & Leker, Jens, 2017. "Anticipation of converging technology areas — A refined approach for the identification of attractive fields of innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 98-115.
    14. Chenming Peng & Hong Zhao & Sha Zhang, 2021. "Determinants and Cross-National Moderators of Wearable Health Tracker Adoption: A Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-16, December.
    15. Jong Hyuk Park & Han-Chieh Chao, 2017. "Advanced IT-Based Future Sustainable Computing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-4, May.
    16. Surapree Maolikul & Thira Chavarnakul & Somchai Kiatgamolchai, 2019. "Market Opportunity Analysis in Thailand: Case of Individual Power Sources by Thermoelectric-Generator Technology for Portable Electronics," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(03), pages 1-24, May.

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