According to Valencell, there will soon be a day when wearables are commonplace but we’re not there, yet.
Performance biometric tech firm, Valencell, has recently stated that while the industry is headed toward a time when it will be difficult to imagine our lives without wearable technology, we have not yet reached that point and there are some very specific reasons to explain that.
The success of the Fitbit IPO, and the sales recorded by the Apple Watch are showing that wearables are growing.
Valencell has explained that while consumers are interested in wearable technology at the moment, these gadgets have not yet reached the point in which they are providing health feedback with the accuracy that they are seeking. This statement was made in a report made by the company based on a study conducted by their team with a focus on wrist wearables. What the team determined was that the PerformTek biometric tech that their company produced was able to deliver heart rate data when worn on the wrist to a degree that it was comparable to the readings collected by way of a chest strap.
The wearable technology research also indicated that the Apple Watch was not able to meet that goal.
The researchers found that the Apple Watch was particularly incapable of collecting accurate heart rate feedback during physical activity.
While it is important to note that this research that praises the PerformTek biometric technology was conducted by Valencell’s own team, meaning that it is more than likely that biases – deliberate or completely unintentional – could be present, this study does raise a very important point with regards to the accuracy of biometric information that is being collected by way of mobile devices.
Previous studies have indicated that many medical professionals and organizations are not yet comfortable recommending the use of wearables for the collection of fitness and medical data simply because they have not yet been adequately studied in order to know whether or not their feedback should be considered to be satisfactory as a basis for making medical or fitness recommendations.
Until the reliability of wearable technology biometric data can be improved and proven, it is likely that this factor will continue to hold back its adoption among the general public.
NASA had been sending the device up to the astronauts to provide assistance with a spectrum of tasks.
The new “Project Sidekick” experienced a massive setback on Sunday when the SpaceX Falcon rocket exploded shortly after takeoff. The intention of the project was to give astronauts a hand by way of augmented reality as NASA sends the HoloLens from Microsoft up into space in order to let people on the ground guide the astronauts through a variety of different complex tasks. It is believed that the devices will be sent again on a later rocket transport.
This use of AR technology could help to simplify the completion of difficult tasks while in orbit.
The idea is to use the HoloLens augmented reality headset to be able to provide the astronauts with additional information directly from people on the ground. This could be very helpful to the astronauts who will not only be able to hear instructions or see text but also see indications as to precisely what buttons they should be pressing, for example. It will also provide the people on the ground with a much clearer understanding of the perspective of the astronauts while they are actually completing the tasks in question.
The first pair of the augmented reality headsets were to be sent to the astronauts on Sunday with a supply rocket.
The two AR mobile gadgets were added to the resupply mission that was flown into space by the private rocket company called SpaceX. Unfortunately, that rocket exploded and was completely destroyed shortly after liftoff. Those who use the wearable technology will be able to see a display of virtual images in an overlay on top of the actual world around them. This device was unveiled by Microsoft as a part of the launch of their next operating system, Windows 10.
According to the International Space Station (ISS) program, Sam Scimemi, “HoloLens and other virtual and mixed reality devices are cutting edge technologies that could help drive future exploration and provide new capabilities to the men and women conducting critical science on the International Space Station.”
He also went on to say that the augmented reality technology may have the ability to “empower future explorers requiring greater autonomy on the journey to Mars.” NASA and the ISS have already been testing out the AR technology devices on the Weightless Wonder C9 jet in order to simulate its performance in a microgravity environment similar to that of the space station.
The researchers found that the Apple Watch was particularly incapable of collecting accurate heart rate feedback during physical activity.