www.vanguardcanada.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016 17
C
C4Isr
Other sensor-based wearables include
smart clothing that can alert soldiers of
initial signs of exhaustion and smart ban-
dages that can alert soldiers of changes in
their injuries. Such advances in high-tech
textiles which weaves electronics directly
into the fabric, as well as in 3D printing to
create stretchable electronics, revolution-
ize capabilities for the globally connected
soldier.
A Canadian Armed Forces soldier interacts
with the tracking application on a Google
Glass wearable heads-up display. A tech-
nology demonstration was held at DRDC
Toronto Research Centre to test a mobile
ad hoc network's ability to connect smart
phones, heads up displays, a quadcopter and
other devices for command and control of
dispersed operations.
"Wearables must first and foremost
be human-centered."
In a world where we are already tethered to our existing
"wearable"—i.e. the smartphone—the notion of having even
more constant access (and with it, distraction) is unnerving
for the majority of consumers.
Drawbacks: Percent of consumers
who say wearable tech will...
...make us vulnerable to security breaches
86%
...invade my privacy
82%
...hurt our ability to relate other humans
72%
...make me too dependent on technology
68%
...lead us all to own and use too many devices
65%
...take away my autonomy at work
54%
...turn us into robots
52%
...make my job unnecessary/redundant
47%
...make everyone look ridiculous
37%
And yet
of wearables,
our respondents
look ridiculous—for
with time
discreet
Recent
aesthetic
providers:
CEO, Angela
operation;
Designers
wearable
launched
time biometric
smartphone
and make
and comfortable,"
marketing
Do as
opinions
Our data
comes to
employers—for
of government
leery when
and family.
were comfortable
People
workplace
others knowing
65% still
And yet:
via wearable
VIII. Consumers and Wearables
