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Top 5 Wearable Techs You Might Not Know

Sports bras for men? 3D printed makeup?...what's next? The Internet of Things and wearable tech is taking over. Will you be seen in connected clothing?

Forecast calls for 19 billion connected things by 2016, and the wearable technology sector is set to skyrocket from $3-5 billion in revenue to $30-50 billion over the next 2 years (AllthingsCK.com). The products in beta and those already created are leading in the market. 

Would you wear it? Below you’ll find five of the most interesting wearable techs currently on the market. What do you think?

1. LED Threaded Dresses

katy perry
Image taken from http://cutecircuit.com/collections/katy-perry-at-met-ball/

Did you catch Katy Perry’s light up dress at the 2010 Met Gala? The innovation geniuses at CuteCircuit were behind it, and Katy was glowing (no pun intended). 

CuteCircuit is also the brain behind bride and groom outfits that digitally connect. They are made out of conductive silver fabric that creates a connection when the couple kisses, triggering a private message on the linings of their garments. If you really want to be the center of attention on your wedding day, put on an illuminated dress. 

 

Watch Katy's interview here: 

 

2. FitBark

dog

Naturally if there is a FIT band to track human health and fitness levels, it’s only natural that humans would invent the same for their pets. Having a dog is just like having a child after all, right? With FitBark, a tiny smart activity monitor, you can better understand your dog’s health and behavior. You can share your pup’s activity report with her vet and compare her with other dogs also wearing a FitBark. The best part? FitBark can connect to human fitness trackers to ensure that the puppy is at least as active as its owner.

3. Bras for Men

bra

Just kidding, it’s not a bra, but it sure does look like one. European rugby pro, Trent Hodkinson ripped off his shirt to reveal a high-tech athlete-monitoring device made by GPSportInternational. Players base their recovery and training methods on the information provided from the unit. But if you thought Victoria’s Secret was pricey, this vest weighs in between $2000-$3000.

Maybe Seinfeld was onto something with “The Bro.”

4. GPS Jacket

jacket

Wearable Experiments created a jacket that actually navigates its wearer through the city. The jacket works in tandem with an app to steer the wearer in the right direction. LED lights on the sleeve visualize the route and either the left or right sleeve vibrates when it’s time to turn a corner. Ditch the map and put on your jacket.

5. 3D Printed Make Up

Mink, a prototype 3D printer created by Harvard grad, Grace Choi, enables people to print makeup (eye shadow, blush, lipstick… you name it) right from their home. Targeted to be the same size as a Mac Mini and under $200, the product uses cosmetic-grade dye printed onto a powder substrate. Choi’s main motive was to provide girls with access to makeup in any and every color because drug store selections tend to fall flat. To make a color, the device connects with a tool to find the hue’s hexadecimal number, and then prints it (Business Insider). 

Watch a demo here:

In addition to the five products listed above, wearable tech is everywhere. There’s a bracelet that controls body temperature; smart eyelashes; dresses that charge your phone; Nike sneakers that help you run faster and jump higher. The innovative ideas embodied in the Internet of Things are taking over the globe. Will you be seen wearing connected clothing?

The innovations listed in this blog were taken from Fashionably Wired.

Take a look at this Slide Share presentation for more information on the future of wearable technology:

Twitter @CMDonato

This blog originally appeared on LinkedIn.

 

 

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