Wearable technology mainly concerns devices and apparel that aim to afford integrated electronic functionality in a wide range of products; from glasses and headphones to arm, wrist, leg and footwear, skin patches and even jewelry, the device business is already large, at over $14 billion in 2014 according to IDTechEx research. It also has the largest number of big brands involved, such as Apple, Accenture, Adidas, Fujitsu, Philips, Reebok, Samsung, SAP and Roche behind the most promising new developments. However, truly disruptive new technology, in the form of e-textiles and even soft robotics, will also begin to establish major sales in a few years' time and fashion, industrial, commercial and military applications will burgeon as a consequence. This paper will focus on the detailed study of the activities of over 1200 organizations (consumer electronics companies, apparel companies, healthcare companies, but also research and academic institutes) actively developing wearable devices. It will describe their activities, areas of focus, growth areas as well as particular challenges in commercialization.
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