The Ups and Downs of Wearable Computing 65
Flood writes "The Washington Post has a front page story today about Xybernaut, billed as one of wearable computing's 'pioneers'. Interesting bit about the ups and downs of starting a cutting-edge company. " Wearable computing is something that will definitely come - but I still don't have a good feel for when. What do you folks think?
Some Answers: Wearable issues (Score:1)
Re:Wearable Computing's Future (Score:1)
what is a vertical market? (Score:1)
Is a vetical market a niche market, or otherwise specialist market.
Is there a horizontal market?
Seriously... ive wondered abotu it for a while, didnt know who to ask
Prof. Mann in Toronto (Score:1)
Computers enter mainstream life (Score:1)
Already in the US, we've seen the internet take computers from the homes of only geeks+dorks to a widespread upper-mid class consumer item. The influence of this has led to such goofy looking contraptions as the imac and other (in the case of the imac successful) attempts to appeal to ordinary consumer culture as opposed to the nitty gritty tastes of geeks.
This will have two effects; a new appliance used only for gathering information and the proliferation of low powered networked computers (LPNC's "LupNicks" teehee!) in major household appliances.
The informational appliances could turn out to be clothing, probably some piece of eyewear connected to a internet box connected via radio waves to my household LAN then to the net. I imagine these would have to be voice controlled.
As for the household appliances, computerization would vary according to need. I suspect that each appliance would connect to one's household LAN again via radio waves for the purpose of supplying access to various sensor registers in the device; my fridge would have sensors for eggs + 40oz bottles of malt liquor. When a register reaches a certain value, some script is run (ie: emailing local stores for more eggs/beer).
These devices will become popular when a) cheap and b) sexy and appealing over TV.
-gaffney
Cell + Pager + laptop = wearable (Score:1)
leading to extream computer dependency? (Score:2)
Sure, we all "rely" on our computers, but what happens when the computer starts to become- our long and short term memory? Our friends? Our signals when to eat, drink, all because we have come to depend on them for everything!?
Is this possible?
Laser Tag (Score:1)
Re:Xybernaut Patents-- Say What?? (Score:1)
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Voice recognition software in linux? (Score:1)
Does anyone have any feeling for any decent voice recog. software that runs in linux? If there were some usable software/libraries around, it would be interesting to hack out a voice recog. interface for xmms.
Heh. Maybe andover could market a wearable wearable that displays the
Laptops won't die anytime soon. (Score:1)
I suspect now that the laptop screens have expanded out to 14-15 inches, we will see two things happen to that market: 1) laptop screens will start to drop in price so that within 5 years we will see the $500 laptop, 2) resolution of the LCDs will increase towards 300dpi for the high end models.
Hopefully within 5 years we will have decent wireless connectivity everywhere, but I'm not holding my breath. www.ricochet.net looks the most promising, but they haven't expanded their coverage noticeably in the past 3-4 years.
Re:Not for me... (Score:1)
waiting for them to fax you the shareholder agreements so you can sign and fax them back. I, on the
other hand, will be on the beach spending the IPO dough drinking mai tais while I wait for my fax.
Then, while you are valuing your leisure time sitting by the phone hoping I'll call you back with the
dinner plans, I'll have turned my phone off.
uhhh.... you bet.
Not for me... (Score:1)
When I am at work, I work, when I am not... I do not. I highly value my leisure time.
im blind in my left eye... (Score:2)
Or maybe a nice little fishtank with a robotic fish swimming around. cute.
2nd post? ble
wearable timeframe (Score:3)
Given what I've seen of wearable computing so far, and with other technologies, such as the embedded chips that can be used by a "smart" building to tell where you are and whether you are authorized to enter certain rooms, I would guess that useful, wearable computing would really hit its stride in another two to three years. Maybe five at the outside.
Of course, this begs the Faustian question, just because you *can* wear a computer, should you? or would you want to? I think my cell phone is a big enough "leash" already, would I want to wear a computer to fix problems even when I'm not at work? No...
Besides, I'd much rather just have the Aura workstation [poetictech.com] desk...
Post's page looks odd.. (Score:1)
Not until the displays get better... and cheaper. (Score:3)
Xybernaut should be careful, or their computer will go the way of the Apple Newton.
One more small thing: Batteries need to get cheaper and smaller. Oooo, maybe fuel cells?
When will wearables be worn... (Score:2)
So, by simply working out when a particular phase started, you can work out when the next phase will become dominant, simply by adding one decade.
This -is- only a crude guesstimate, but it works, with only a small margin of error, for the development of the radio, computers, virtual reality, and a few other technologies I've tested it against.
I've also developed a crude set of labels, to describe the different phases, for new technologies:
Danger Will (Score:1)
I agree the prospects of wearables are amazing, as was VR back in the early ninties, but both still have a way to go before they can be applied real world situations at affordable prices.
bain
Wearables? When? (Score:2)
So far the only real product I've seen that fits that description is the one from IBM a while back.
Note that no other MAJOR-BRAND-NAME (other than IBM, who will need a year to release theirs) computer manufacturer sees a market for it yet. I guess that means it will be a while.
Wearable Computing's Future (Score:4)
Before you jump on me, keep in mind I am a hardcore geek [doxpara.com] , so I'm allowed to say stuff like that.
You can't ask most people to have some kind of crazy display contraption(and watch--they'll call it almost exactly that) over their eye. They'll run in fear. The display form factor that the market will adopt en masse(there's some serious pent-up demand for this) are Sunglass Displays. When Ray-Ban can sell you a monitor, believe me, the marketing machines will go into their own peculiar form of orgiastic frenzy faster than you can ask what kind of coca-leaf derived substance the Patent Office was respirating at the time it gave Xybernaut its rather interesting portfolio.
In the mean time--and here's where I expect the CIA-derived organization to eventually move towards--we're almost assured to see some form of wristwatch display come into popularity. At first, it'll be rather clunky, but with the assistance of engineers from one of the design/engineering fusion multinationals(er, Sony) some very intriguing designs should come through. The combination of a small microphone/bone-amplified miniature speaker that clips behind one's ear and displays that integrate with whatever modality you're presently in(a watch for on foot, your car's HUD when driving along, etc.) will bring wearable computing into its place as one of the Next Big Things of the 21st Century.
The fact that lots of servers will need to be sold to meet the need of all those wireless wearable clients will mean shockingly high levels of hype from companies like Sun. But to go out on a limb here, VA Linux may end up making the biggest killing--anyone listening to Linus lately knows he's fallen head over heels for the embedded environment. The amount of press that millions of Linux/Transmeta wearables will create should generate significant corporate interest in Linux servers to match.
You can thank(or blame) this one on Microsoft for their "Windows Clients means you should have Windows Servers" marketing point.
Comments?
Yours Truly,
Dan Kaminsky
DoxPara Research
http://www.doxpara.com
Crash! (Score:2)
IMHO, wearable computing is a long way off. Humans are to distracted by these sorts of things and inevitably someone will try to drive and surf the internet at the same time and pay more attention to the display then where they are going. Cell phones are enough of a problem. I'm not against the concept. I just think the reality is a bit skewed.
Law enforcement uses? (Score:1)
Wearable issues (Score:3)
"If you build it they will come."
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Unfortunately... (Score:1)
One drawback for me personally is the display system. Most solutions use a head mounted display that lays over one eye and let's you continue in a normal fashion using the other for the real world. I lost an eye many years ago so using one of those is not an option for me. Maybe the proliferation of semi-transparent devices like the Sony VR glasses would be able to do the trick.
On a closing note...the size and power are very close...we need more work on the human interface.
...Spooker
Not to sound stupid... (Score:1)
I would refuse to take all of that around with me. Cellphones are annoyingly addicting and I hate people who talk while driving, in a store, or anywhere except where you usually use a phone. Frankly, most people don't want to hear your conversations.
I think the whole reason everyone wants a wearable computer is because they believe that they need to be connected all the time. Things can wait. Technology doesn't help me much except for maybe Ebay. Wow.
As long as it looks good... (Score:1)
Why would something that you wear be any different? It just has to look cool, and people will do it.
I was just thinking of the intro video to Civ:CTP, the scientist in the alien embryo lab was wearing some futuristic looking glasses. They were colored, and they looked really cool.
Just make me a display in some glasses that I can take off as easily as reading glasses. Given a technology boost, they could even be used with a wireless link. (Bluetooth?) Then you wouldn't have some funky pack on your belt.. just some spec's that are indiscernable from normal glasses.
Wearable Computing - WIDE range of potential apps (Score:1)
Re:Wearable Computing - WIDE range of potential ap (Score:1)
Wearables on diet (Score:2)
Sure, it's very cool and i'd really like to have a one of those babies. But, I dont see myself going over to the local (insert computer store) and buying one of those. Why not? Well, this is suposed to be wearables. But how wearble is something that blocks you field of view and restricts your moments. Making you look like something out of a borge infestation. Ha. I thinl the bill gates logo on
What do I suggest? Well clean, nicely concealed wearbles. How about incooperating them into sun glasses (insert fav movie where you saw this -- matrix type looks fine too), make it wireless. We dont need a camera (at least I dont, that's what I have eyes for, unless the camera is for something else), plus that camera looking too borgish (not that they arent cool). Wearables are trying to do too many things, start small.. make just a display and a nice pad (5 key -- keyboards
What kind of power supply does these use? If we have a low power CPU (no we dont need an Alpha for something like this, even a lowly pentium 66 would do, cause if I use a wearable, it would more or less be like an x-terminal for me.. or a vnc terminal). There has been a lot of advances in mechanical power generation (you know those watchers that you shake and gets recharged), I think that would be the best source of power for these babies. Since you'd be walking around, and when your walking these would be recharging. Voice interfaces are weak as well and take too much CPU/power. Bat's are fine.
Enjoy
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(Score:1)
Re:REAL Question: Hands-Free Input-One Handed Dvor (Score:1)
- traser
"Wearable" versus "Hands-free" (Score:5)
I just bought myself a $100 hands-free cordless phone by GE. It's got a little headset like you see The Friendly Time-Life Operators using on those TV commercials, and a little "brick" with a phonepad and a battery in it that you clip to your waistband/belt and a cord that runs between the two. I thought when I bought it that it would be a novelty at best, but, because I am now able to do other things while I'm on the phone, like water my plants, feed the fish, vaccuum the living room, wash dishes, or whatever, it really makes a tremendous difference for me; when I have to sit in a chair and hold the phone against the side of my head, I get bored/antsy quickly and just want to hang up so I can do something with my hands.
I don't specifically want "wearable" computing, but I would love to have hands-free computing. If I could be in the back yard watering the plants, or taking care of my fish, or playing with my boa constrictor, or doing just about anything else "interesting" while I'm having to fire off half a dozen boring-but-job-related replies to half a dozen boring-but-job-related EMails, the people who communicate with me would probably get a lot more communication from me.
It would be nice if I could use this same equipment while I was at the mall to see if I could find a better price online for this nice DVD I'm looking at, or bring it with me to the grocery store so I can review my shopping list (or keep it with me when I'm not at the grocery store, so I can add to my shopping list when I think of something, instead of when I'm near my shopping list), that would be even better. But for me, the hands-free operation is more desirable.
And I don't mean something like the Palm Pilot. I find it's data input "capabilities" (i.e. Graffiti [sp?] and the fact that input has to happen effectively one letter at a time in that little square) extremely irritating at best and nearly useless in general.
Ideally I would like voice recognition, but barring that, some sort of very durable keyboard is the next best solution. I think most geeks can probably type a lot faster than they can write. I want something specifically designed for hands-free or nearly-hands-off operation - I don't want to have to hold it in one hand and type with the other to be able to use it, which also disqualifies all those wince boxes out there.
It has to have the same conveniences as my new phone -- I have to be able to make use of it while being mobile and having both hands free. Even if I have to use one hand to type to respond to EMail, it needs to be mostly hands-off.
-=-=-=-=-
Re:Wearable Computing's Future (Score:1)
If a pen required you to adjust the way you work to use it, you wouldn't use a pen.
If they could make the Xybernaut less intrusive, the same bunch of people that rushed out to buy palms at first would be rushing out to buy Xybernauts, if they could get a good price point, say $1500-2000US. I'd be tempted, but I don't think I'd ever take the thing off. 8)
Entirely too soon (Score:1)
I've seen the Borg. I don't really want to be one.
It's already here (Score:1)
I doubt this company is going too far... (Score:1)
Somehow, I don't think that patent is going to
stand for long.
I wonder if finding an instance of this
"invention" in a science fiction movie would
be enough to prove it's obvious.
Alex.
!!! (Score:2)
Even then, as with anything technology, it will be adopted out of necessity. Some of the early markets right now are surveyors - who need mobile computing to call up blueprints, do some trig/other math. I can see how mobile computing might be useful for law enforcement. You could switch to infra-red, or ultraviolet while in pursuit of a suspect. You could call up a 3d "overhead-map" of the nearby neighborhood, and see the location of other squad cars relative to your location (and the location of the suspect). Alittle too 'cheezy' perhaps, but I can see it happening. Alot of officers literally work in the dark. People who drive for a living, like truck drivers or bus drivers, who could use augmented reality to see, for example, warnings of an accident ahead, and arrows pointing to an alternate route, or maybe overlay the route they should take.
But for some things, it's obviously pointless - home computing, for example. The eyepiece may allow a much bigger 'virtual screen', but I suspect when people get home, they'd rather not be wearing a dozen peripherals. :) That's my $0.02
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It's already here (Score:2)
Wearable computing is a reality today.
While a beeper isn't clothes to the same extent that a tee shirt is, it is definitely an accessory designed to be placed on the body(not unlike a belt) with computational characteristics. The fact that it can't run Linux doesn't mean it's not a computer.
Not to mention the latest few years of techno-watches with IR links and onboard RAM or the proliferation of cell phones with screens and net access(particularly in Scandanavia and Japan).
Wearable computing is in the evolution stage; the revolution was made 20 years ago with the first digital beepers.
More Background here (Score:1)
http://www.media.mit.edu/wearables/
displays? what about input devices? (Score:2)
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Re:wearable timeframe (Score:2)
I suspect things like this are where it will really start to take off - then the world around us is designed for interaction with it.
I could see machines being designed with mini transmitters to inform a wearable of it's location and orientation - imagine a car mechanic with a wearable that would allow them to see every detail of the car without opening up a thing, being able to see whatever parts were relevant, and the best method for accessing those parts. Where the machine would hold all the technical data and dispense it instantly right over top of the real view.
Or for a doctor, being able to set it up so that it would highlight the relevant organs to the surgery they are performing, along with listing anything they have to be especially careful of, and reminding them of every detail.
The big question is - which will come first? Will we start designing our environment to interact with wearables, and then watch the industry grow? Or the other way around?
Regardless, until we can enhance our brains and body, wearables will eventually be the best method for allowing us to do more, do it faster, and do it better.
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wearables (Score:1)
Re:Not for me... (Score:1)
When will the Netscape Communicator 5.0 come out? (Score:1)
But when will we get the Netscape Communicator 5.0?
Isn't it ready yet?
Re:Xybernaut Patents-- Say What?? (Score:2)
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We all take pink lemonade for granted.
Re:wearables (Score:2)
Wow I just can't wait! (Score:2)
Wearable computers will be the best invention since peanut butter, I would love to be able to fit in because I was part of the collective, then we could make fun of the nonnects (non connected)!!
What is it with Americans that they absolutely venerate all technology before actually thinking about it's social and psychological implications? Everyone seems to believe that technology can by itself solve all of the world's problems without any effort on our part.
I'm not a Luddite or some eco-nut tree hugger but I am a living creature made of biological components, a bunch of water, and some sarcarm. I was reading through posts where people want bionic implants as-seen-on-TV where they could pull up web pages displayed in front of them seemingly in thin air and their refridgerator would automatically order them beer, networks that connect your brain in some way to everyone else on the planet, virtual lives existing entirely in a medium made up of microscopic transistors and electrical impulses. What kind of life is that? The whole reason humans didn't end up like giant fungus colonies is because nature figured it was probably better for organisms to exist independantly to be more distributed and therefore more versatile in a non-static environment (this is not to discount the obvious intelligence of giant fungus colonies or their ability to survive and adapt). The world would be totally fucked over if a majority of all humans' grey matter was linked in a giant network. No privacy, no individualism, nothing but a giant collective, sounds Borg-like to me. Do you really want your thoughts broadcast for everyone else to hear along with theirs invading your brain in an endless cacophony? There would be such a complete social disaster if everyone was linked in a giant collective mass mind, all prejudice would be open faced and thoughts could never be hidden from anyone. Some neurohack breaks your brains neat little firewall and downloads some of your thoughts, oh shit you were thinking some naughty thoughts about your new neighbour. What kind of neuroterrorism would exist on that kind of network, a neo-Nazi group decides to launch a mental kraut dog at some Zionists hanging out together in a virtual cafe. Also don't forget the "morally superior" thought police that will pop up everywhere. Besides the problems with people on the network what about people not on it? I'm going to have to cave in to all my moral and philosophical beliefs just to carry on a conversation with someone by logging onto the network? Are robots going to be designed to take care of the humans that sit in giant stadiums filled with neurointerlinks etrophying while they experience their own private universe?
More prudent to the conversation of wearable technology, how good of an idea is it really? Do I want Jonny Jerkoff downloading some porn while he drives his SUV down the street behind me or maybe try to carry on a conversation with someone who's totally engrossed in the Real Audio stream they alone are privy to? No I don't. First come clipon computers and then Pentium watches that can do everything but tell time. Eventually it will lead to implants that connect directly to your brain. These kind of technologies aren't going to solve any problems, only create an nth amount more. Even now people are addicted to their pages and cell phones, jumping at the chance to answer them only to expose the side of their head to a nice little batch of microwaves that would love nothing more that fuddle with your cells' DNA. Has no one ever read Fahrenheit 451? The other night I went for a walk around my neighborhood and there was an almost universal glow coming out of the living room windows. No outside lights on any of the houses (save for a few) yet the TV was on. I didn't see one reading lamp. As fast as my neurons work I drew a correlation between my neighborhood and that of the Pedestrian from Ray Bradbury's short story.
Technology and innovation do have their places in our life but their place should not be that which we used to devote idols to and burn incense for. Our computers and so forth are supposed to be our tools, why have they become our masters?
Re:Wow I just can't wait! (Score:1)
I particularly like your comment that "the whole reason humans didn't end up like giant fungus colonies is because nature figured it was probably better for organisms to exist independantly to be more distributed and therefore more versatile in a non-static environment." Yes, there's much truth to this! But there's also truth to the fact that humans are amoung the most social creatures on the planet. We don't exist independantly; we constantly (hell, chronically) communicate via a plethora of strategies, from facial expressions to pheromones to cell phones, making significant and lasting impacts on one another's nerve centers. Wearables will make these links stronger. And if we ever decide to go the route of implants (and let's face it, somebody will), we're really going to need to discuss the evolutionary repercussions. Will this "Borg mind" reduce versatility, individuality, innovation, or even the chances of species surival? Even more importantly, will it damn our very souls to a Hell of our own creation?
Xybernaut Stock Slashdotted! (Score:1)
Re:Wearables? When? (Score:1)
Late-70's: Apple markets the first successful personal computer. Don't see many of those anymore.
Mid-80's: Apple markets the first successful GUI. Don't see that kind of thing anymore.
Early 90's: Apple markets a pen-based palm-top called the Newton. That idea didn't take off either, now did it?
Whatever.
Xybernaut Patents-- Say What?? (Score:2)
Did it occur to any of them that by encouraging other entrants into the market, they build the whole market for everyone? Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Wearable computing will be huge in 2-5 years (depending on how quickly some of the current stumbling blocks are removed-- we need a high-quality eyeglass display, and much better voice recognition) and hopefully, if their intentions and track record are any indication, Xybernaut will not be around to enjoy it.
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We all take pink lemonade for granted.
"wearable" computing is already here (Score:1)
Even so, I get ribbed about "wearing the utility belt" by co-workers. I need suspenders because the Palm, cellphone, pager, wallet, keys, and sundry items weigh my pants down so much.
To me, "wearable" computing isn't about a heads-up display or voice input or looking like a Borg demo unit. It's about having computing power easily at hand anyplace I happen to be, without having to use a carry handle. Yes, it'd be nice to have voice input for many things... but a lot of the time, I'd rather use a pen or a keyboard. You can't dictate a drawing, and I can type faster than I can dictate or write. I'd rather learn Graffiti than wear a Power Glove all day.
As far as the idea of in-your-clothing wearable computing... if they can come up with something that will resist machine washing and drying in rough-and-tumble coin-op machines, with instructions as simple as "machine wash warm, tumble dry medium/perm. press" then they'll have something. Otherwise, who needs it? I'd rather have a good, highly portable computing device that can fit in a pocket or a belt case.
Where you'll see them first... (Score:4)
I used to work at the MIT Media Lab [mit.edu] in direct conjunction with several of the pioneers of the field. I've listened to Thad [gatech.edu] pontificate on the various uses of them for almost 5 years now, so I've got a good idea where you're going to see them:
The big stumbling blocks to wearables right now are the displays (though take a look at the one Thad is wearing in the above picture) and battery life. I expect displays to be solved within 2 years at the outside, after which it's really simply a matter of production. The battery life is a harder issue, but it's being worked on too.
I look at Xybernaut, and think that they are targeting the wrong market first - they're doing consumer applications, which I don't expect to be feasible for 4-6 years; instead, they should be focusing on the specialty and vertical markets, where the need and demand is NOW.
Disclaimer - Thad is a personal friend of mine, and I think his shit is cool. So I might be biased.
-Erik
REAL Question: Hands-Free Input (Score:2)
Re:REAL Question: Hands-Free Input (Score:1)
http://www.handykey.com
Ubiquitous networked computing before wearable. (Score:1)
-Dan
more wearable info (Score:2)
First, some Wearable computing links:
And now some opinons:
Here are some obstacles to wearable computing by the masses