International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online),2347-5013(print) Volume No.6, Issue No.10, pp : 445-447 1 Oct. 2017 DOI : 10.5958/2319-6890.2017.00059.9 Page 445 Wearable Computing Matthew N. O. Sadiku, Shumon Alam, and Sarhan M. Musa Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446 Email : sadiku@ieee.org; shalam@pvamu.edu; smmusa@pvamu.edu Abstract: Wearable computers are computer devices or systems integrated into the clothing or attached to the body of a person. The evolution of wearable computing devices, driven by the confluence of information and communication technology, has changed the way people use online services by keeping them always connected. This paper provides a brief introduction to wearable computing with its technical issues and challenges that must be addressed to reap the huge benefits. Keywords: wearable computing, wearables, wearable technology, body-borne computing. I. INTRODUCTION Wearable computing devices are miniature electronic or digital devices that are worn by a user, including clothing, watches, glasses, shoes, and similar items. A wearable computer is a never-sleeping ever-present network-connected electronic system that can be used at anytime and anywhere and does not in any way disturb the user’s interaction with the real world. It should be worn, much as eyeglasses or clothing are worn, and interact with the user. The key properties required to achieve the above are [1]: (1) non- disruptive user interfaces, (2) handsfree operation, (3) an unobtrusive form factor, (4) the ability to recognize and act on events in the environment, and (5) seamless, ubiquitous connectivity. Users no longer need to remove a phone from a pocket to retrieve information because wearable computing devices would change the fundamentals of human machine interaction. Wearable computers will let you be online anywhere you go. Potential implications of introducing wearable computers are collaboration, information overload, situation awareness, and social relationships. A common feature of wearable computers is that there is constant interaction between the wearable and user and there is no need to turn the device on or off. Wearable devices provide various information, such as data about the wearer, a vicinity map, a flashlight, a communicator, a poison detector or an enemy-tracking device. They are for everyone. They are already a part of many people's lives, in the form of a smartphone or smartwatch that helps them find their way if they get lost, or helps protect them. A primitive version of wearable computers is the cell or mobile phone. Modern wearable devices include micro-chips, smart tattoos, smart wigs, Apple Watch, Google Glass, and the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch. The modern wearable computer was invented by Steve Mann, in the late 1970s. He was a professor at the University of Toronto, Canada and was hailed as the father of the wearable computer. Mann describes computer wearables as constant and always ready, unrestrictive, not monopolizing of user attention, observable and controllable by the user, attentive to the environment, useful as a communication tool, and personal devices [2]. Figure 1. The block diagram of a typical wearable computing system [3]. Figure 2. A typical example of a wearable computing device [4]. The wearable computing has evolved around three major factors: minimization of computer size increased mobility of people, and increasing personalization of devices. The field of wearable computing is an intersection of computer science, microelectronics, and wireless communication (such as Bluetooth, 3G LTE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee and WiMAX). The block diagram of a typical wearable computing system is shown in Figure 1. It consists of a battery, a human computer interface(HCI), and a wireless body area network WBAN) [3]. A typical wearable computing device is shown in Figure 2 [4].