Spacesuits are the Ultimate Wearable Technology
During a Wearable Tech panel before the holidays at Chicago’s ICNC incubator, a question from the audience got us talking about what we’re most excited to see in the future of wearable technology. Of course, for me, it is how wearables will aid us in achieving our ambitious goals in Space. Spacesuits themselves are wearable technology. Made to be worn on the body, with many more sophisticated functions than the average wearables we employ daily on earth, spacesuits are highly specialized wearable tech.
Other, smaller wearables with more specific and continuous functions are also useful in Space to monitor and track astronauts’ vital health information. Much like we use our fitness trackers to count steps and monitor heart rate on Earth, some of these same metrics, including sleep patterns and stress levels, are important measurements to understand how the Space environment affects our physical state.
In “The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2020,”for The New York Times, Brian Chen writes: “It’s a time of intense competition in wearable computers, which is set to lead to more creativity and innovation.” This, he argues, makes wearables one of four areas of tech focus for the year ahead.
Along with the upcoming efforts in Space, including new suits being tested for both government and commercial astronauts as well as Space tourists, then the spacesuit should be included in that overview of Wearable Tech to monitor in 2020.
I’ll be tracking it closely –– follow here for updates. FAAR
