Wearable devices constitute a major part of the Internet-of-Things (IoT), which explains the incredible growth of the industry in just a few years. Besides fitness, these wearables have had far reaching influence on the fields of education, disabilities, medicine, gaming, transportation, and entertainment.
The miniaturisation of sensors and electronic devices combined with pervasive connectivity and lowering of costs have facilitated the rapid growth in the number of fitness trackers being conceptualised and launched in the last few years.
But the future of this market segment depends on how well it can match the aesthetics of user tastes and preferences via optimal styling and overcoming design challenges. For instance, one of the biggest concerns for smartwatch makers is the ability to match the design sensibility of luxury time pieces, which are, first and foremost, identified as a fashion statement.
Other challenges include the limited battery life of most devices and the requirement for regular recharging, privacy issues, and functional bugs, among others.
But even with these obstacles, many new companies continue to enter the fray in the wide range of fitness trackers and wearable technologies. Some examples include:
