From Backpacks to Smartphones: Past, Present, and Future of Wearable Computers

Wearable computer technology which is gaining widespread importance with respect to its past, present and future is discussed. They offer platform to explore topics such as sensing, context awareness, wearable interfaces, and new application concepts. The year 1990 witnessed Xybernaut system which consisted of a belt attached computer block and a carry on display. Year 2000's witnessed Sharp Zaurus and Nokia N770 which offered diversified product range of thin clients and smart phones. Eurotech has introduced Zypad WL1100, a wrist worn touch screen computer in 2007 for emergency, security, logistics industry. The emergence of smart phones as widespread versatile mobile platforms has provided classic, purpose-full wearable computing devices obsolete, and emergence of powerful enable has led to development of range of wearable concepts, systems and applications.