The Future of Wearables and Smart Sensors

Wearable wireless devices have become increasingly popular and this trend will continue. CCS Insight forecasts that by 2026 more than 400 million smart wearable devices will be sold and an impressive 1.3 billion people around the world will own a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Additionally, the global gesture recognition market and the applications it serves is increasing. According to Transparency Market Research, this industry is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 20.3% from 2022 to 2031 and reach a value of $51.3 billion by the end of 2031.

Consumers expect their wearables to always perform flawlessly. They expect their fitness trackers to record every step taken or their wireless earbuds to transition from one song to the next by a simple tap. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) ensure that each wearable device they produce is equipped with the best technology which provides users with the greatest control and device response, even when external factors like outside noise and perspiration are present. 

Consumer devices designed with smart sensors can detect human presence and enable intelligent and real-time responses. These smart sensors have reliable detection regardless of the environment. For example, smart sensors have small temperature variation over a long duration, thus limiting the chance of false human detection. Also, smart sensors enable “wear and go” functionality such as auto on/off music play, enable/disable smart assistant and more. 

When runners wish to adjust the volume on their earbuds, they can simply use a sliding motion to enable volume control. With a simple gesture, users can adjust audio levels without ever pulling out their smartphones. The smart sensor can also automatically pause streaming music if an earbud falls out mid-exercise as it no longer detects human presence.

Additionally, with gesture control, users are able to turn on their earbuds’ noise cancellation feature. For example, someone on an airplane can easily enable noise cancellation mode when listening to music on their headphones and turn it off to carry out a quick conversation with a simple gesture. This ensures that consumers can toggle the noise cancellation feature on their earbuds depending on their surroundings, granting them ease of use and greater sense of control.

Smart sensors enhance user experience and allow consumers to do more with their wearable devices. With low power consumption and small footprint, these sensors are ideal for wearable devices that typically require extended battery life. Users rely on their smartwatch or headphones to last for the entire duration of their workout. With low power consumption, runners do not have to worry about their fitness trackers or headphones dying mid-marathon, leaving them with no music or any idea of how far they have to go.

The impact of smart sensors will continue to transform the way humans interact with their environments in a variety of markets. By automatically sensing human presence and reacting with a smart response, proximity sensors make life easier and a lot more enjoyable.