This assignment is a homework for the class Human-Computer Interaction at the Hague University of Applied Sciences. These reflections were done during the first week of the course following a lecture about wearable technologies.
Research
While doing additional research on wearable technologies I looked at how they can help people with handicaps. For example, blind people have difficulties using technology on the move, because phones require the use of a hand, which in combination with a cane or a guide dog means the person does not have any free hand to read braille or do anything else. Also blind people use their smartphones with audio and this restricts their awareness of their environment, so hands-free technologies which communicate through vibrations are a much better deal for these people (e.g. Maptic - tactile navigation https://youtu.be/k_ZrFhZ96V4).
Assignment
For this assignment (case 1) I was asked to think of an interactive wearable concept that (not mentioned in the lecture), based on the biometric brainwave data of people who are in the same room as me?
The concept I came up with is an ear set for waiters which would be aware of the general level of impatience and annoyance of each customer and give audio cues to the waiter indicating when someone needs your attention right away as well as the direction in which that person is. When the waiter hears beeping sounds he should follow the direction in which it is coming from. The sound will gently increase as the waiter gets closer to the right table and come to a stop when it is reached. That way the customers never feel frustrated and they get the attention of the waiter when they need it. For this concept to work the room would have to be fully covered by sensors which not only register the brainwaves of people but also where they are located. The information would be computed then transmitted to the nearest waiter. Waiters would also have the possibility, when they are busy, to tap on their ear set so the computer would know they should send the signal to the second nearest waiter. The ear set should be discreet, small and it should not be loud enough for customers to hear it or notice it as it would disturb them or make them feel uncomfortable. The sensors too should not be too obvious. It could, for example, be disguised as surveillance cameras, which are common in restaurants and this would even keep burglars away. They should only register the brainwaves of still people, as moving humans would most likely be waiters and their emotions should not be registered.
Reflection
I think that wearables have a strong potential to change our daily lives. Most people already have a smartphone on them at all time so they are already connected and the technology is part of our daily life, but I think it is still very limited. There are many instances in which smartphones cannot or should not be used, for example, looking at a screen while biking is dangerous, but sounds or vibrations can help you navigate. How can you listen to music under the shower? You certainly cannot bring your smartphone in it with you, but with a smart tattoo, and the electronics that are protected from water by your skin, you can change song or up the volume in an instant. Wearables can help where smartphones are limited.