Wearables loom as next big thing
Founder and chief executive Dan Cook said it would soon be possible to use EyeMynd's technology to control your computer by thought alone.
"With the help from wearable neuro-headsets that will be on the market in 2014, connected to very smart brain signal processing software that we have developed, all of us will soon be able to effortlessly surf the internet, compose email and text messages, move a wheelchair, and play video games using the power of our thoughts alone," Mr Cook said.
Even though these brain-controlled technologies are still unavailable beyond the realm of scientific developments already helping the disabled, Juniper Research, Forrester Research, Deloitte and others have recently issued 2014 forecasts predicting a surge in the sale and use of wearable devices.
According to Juniper Research, next year will be "the watershed year for wearable devices, both in terms of rollouts and market traction".
Deloitte estimates the global market for wearables will be worth in excess of $2 billion in 2014, heavily dominated by a few device types. "Smart glasses are likely to sell millions of units at a price point of about $500," it said.
The Australian Interactive Multimedia Industry Association's (AIMIA) Australian Mobile Phone Lifestyle Index, which is based on a survey of more than 2300 Australians aged 18-75, suggested that wearable device users would treble in 2014. Five per cent of the respondents to the survey, which was published in October, said they owned a wearable mobile device and 17 per cent said they intended to buy one in the next 12 months. This would have 20 per cent of 18-75-year-olds using a wearable device by August 2014.
However, according to the author of the report, Dr Marisa Maio Mackay, director of Complete the Picture Consulting, the market is male dominated, which suggests that wearable devices are still in the "gadget" category. "Over 70 per cent of current users are male and when we look at those that intend to purchase in the next 12 months, over 65 per cent are male," she told IT Pro.
Cloud computing will play a key role in the wearable device market, said Angus Dorney, director and general manager ANZ of cloud computing service provider Rackspace.
"Cloud services, such as computing, storage and a suite of new databases will power the wearable technology revolution," he said. "[They allow] the data generated by wearable devices to be captured, analysed and made readily accessible whenever users need it."
Forrester senior analyst Tim Sheedy says this level of integration is still several years away. But he expects wearables to make a dramatic impact on consumer lifestyles. "The first wave of wearables has been successful and will continue to be successful because it augments what we do every day," he said. "The next wave will change the world because it will give us information that we could never have got previously."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Wearable devices are electronic gadgets that can be worn on the body, such as smart glasses and neuro-headsets. They are considered the next big thing because they offer new ways to interact with technology, like controlling devices with thoughts, and are expected to see a surge in sales and usage.
EyeMynd has developed a 'Brain Operating System' that allows users to control electronic devices using their thoughts. This innovation is set to revolutionize how we interact with technology, making tasks like surfing the internet and composing emails possible through thought alone.
According to Juniper Research and Deloitte, 2014 is expected to be a watershed year for wearable devices, with the market potentially exceeding $2 billion. Smart glasses alone are projected to sell millions of units at around $500 each.
Currently, the market for wearable devices is predominantly male, with over 70% of users being men. This trend is expected to continue, as over 65% of those planning to purchase wearable devices in the next year are also male.
Cloud computing will play a crucial role by providing the necessary infrastructure for data storage and analysis. This will enable the data generated by wearable devices to be captured, analyzed, and accessed easily, enhancing the functionality and appeal of wearables.
Wearable devices can be used for a variety of applications, including surfing the internet, composing emails, moving wheelchairs, and playing video games, all through the power of thought. They are also expected to provide new information that was previously inaccessible.
Despite their potential, wearable devices are still seen as gadgets, with a market heavily dominated by male users. Additionally, the full integration of wearable technology with cloud services is still several years away, which may slow down widespread adoption.
Wearable devices are anticipated to dramatically impact consumer lifestyles by augmenting daily activities and providing new insights. The first wave of wearables has already been successful, and future developments are expected to offer even more transformative benefits.
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