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BY CHERYL AJLUNI CUTTINGCUTTING EDGE DESIGN ED Wearable Redefines Computer Usage While Smaller, Faster Notebook Computers Were Making Mobility Less Of An Issue, Researchers Began Exploring Ways Of Using People As A Communications Platform.

one time, wireless technology was thought of only in It may be easy for the consumer to envision carrying a AT relation to its ability to untether the user. As we stand or PDA throughout one’s daily activi- ready to enter a new year, the implementation of wireless ties. But it’s quite a stretch to assume that consumers will technology has taken new life. Wireless technology is now suddenly see the benefit or need for embedding that same viewed as a true enabler. It makes possible mobility; hands- functionality into a jacket or a pair of eyeglasses. Luckily, free access to information; and any- they may be convinced by the pletho- time, anywhere access. It is always ra of research now underway at a there, allowing us to remain connect- multitude of corporate and academic ed to a vast network of resources and laboratories.Such research focuses on information. the technology needed to make wear- What’s urging this transformation able-wireless devices possible, while forward? Quite simply,it is the chang- at the same time making them plausi- ing communications platform. Years ble to the consumer. ago, the cell phone was the sole deliv- The Massachusetts Institute of ery vehicle for wireless technology. Technology (MIT) Media Laboratory Today, the delivery vehicle is some- is a prime example. It is working to thing much more personal: you. The develop and prototype techniques of user is actually becoming the com- human-computer interaction for munications platform of choice. The body-worn applications. This project, devices used to communicate on that dubbed MIThril, is essentially a platform are known simply as wear- research platform for context-aware able-wireless technology. wearable computing (MIThril@ Wearable wireless encompasses a media.mit.edu). wide range of devices with embedded The MIThril project has two wireless technology. They can literal- This active-matrix display is prime focuses. The first is an explo- ly be worn, or in some cases embed- claimed to be the world’s thinnest. ration of the hardware and ded, in or on a person. Such devices At just 0.3 mm thick, or half as components necessary for state-of- share a common set of features. Each thick as a credit card, it provides the-art wearable computing. The is powered by a miniaturized com- high resolution. Displays like this MIThril hardware platform com- puter, for example, and flaunts high- one are expected to power future bines body-worn computation, sens- performance processors, flexible wearable-wireless technology. ing, and networking in a clothing- lightweight microdisplay technology, integrated design. The software plat- and sensors. Each product also has the ability to interact form merges user-interface elements and machine-learn- with the user based on the context of the situation. The ing tools built on Linux. For its second objective, MIThril wearable devices sport a range of novelties, such as unob- wants to combine lightweight RISC processors, a single- trusive input devices, personal wireless local-area net- cable power/data body bus, and high-bandwidth wireless works, and a host of other context-sensing and communi- networking in a package that is as light, comfortable, and cations tools. According to just one research firm, by 2007, unobtrusive as street clothing. more than 60% of the U.S. population aged 15 to 20 will be While MIT researchers are hard at work creating a new carrying or wearing a wireless computing and communi- computing environment, computer scientists at the cations device for more than six hours a day. University of California at Berkeley are piecing together a

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CUTTING EDGE DESIGN [ WEARABLE WIRELESS ]

series of sensors that will one day have the ment, position, or chemical presence in almaden.ibm.com). One of its more ability to connect any physical environ- any area. It also will be able to upload that interesting endeavors is the Digital ment (www.berkeley.edu). The sensors, information to bigger systems, which can Jewelry Project. The idea behind this proj- which they refer to as SmartDust, are evaluate an event and take action as well. ect is to separate a device’s interfaces and microscopic in size. They are powered by SmartDust should even be capable of put them in strategically appropriate ambient light and use mere fractions of a sending the data to a live person. places. Then, allow them to communicate watt of power during operation. These The impact of corporate research lab- wirelessly. For example, a microphone sensors are managed by an operating sys- oratories also will be felt in the wearable might be embedded in a broach or neck- tem known as TinyOS. Researchers claim arena. Take the IBM Almaden Research lace, while an earpiece could be housed that SmartDust will be capable of moni- Center, which has virtually pioneered the inside an earring or a man’s cuff. A ring toring events such as light, heat, move- concept of pervasive computing (www. might be embedded with a track point. Meanwhile, a bracelet could house a text-entry or dialing capability, as well as a small display. Researchers hope to combine such devices with wireless sensors or on-body biosensors. Luckily for users,wearable-wireless technology is making its way out of the research labs. In fact, a number of devices are currently available to the average consumer. One that has received a good deal of attention is Wherify Wireless’ GPS-based person- al-locator wristwatch (www.wherify wireless.com). Simply strap it onto a child’s wrist, and you can instantly track his or her whereabouts on a computer. This device uses enhanced GPS to determine the wearer’s loca- tion. Location information is trans- mitted over a nationwide CDMA 1900-MHz PCS network. It is accurate to within 1 to 30 m. Another item making waves is the SCOTTeVEST from Technology Enabled Clothing (TEC) LLC (www. scottevest.com). This fashionable, lightweight jacket allows the user to discreetly hold, conceal, and connect multiple electronic devices. It contains 17+ pockets to accommodate and recharge everything from digital cam- eras to a . A concealed personal- area network, which is exclusively licensed through TEC, allows users to connect wires to and from electronic gadgets. Collar loops hold earpieces and/or headphones. The availability of this product is significant, says Scott Jordan, TEC Founder and CEO. According to Jordan,“The time has come for people to start thinking about clothing as more than just attire. The proliferation of technology into our daily lives is only going to increase, providing vast opportunities for forward thinkers.” Jordan adds that while mass adoption is a challenge, the real challenge for wearable-wireless technology lies in the awareness of its usability.

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Charmed Technology (www.charmed. to commercialize these prototypes with which notifies the user when a sale is com) is best known for its CharmIT per- its manufacturing partners, Philips and starting on his or her favorite electronic sonal computer weighing a mere 1.75 lbs. TOPPAN, in the middle of next year. components, may only be the beginning. Now, the company is advancing the Are we—human beings—truly evolv- The future may be built upon “comfy cul- CharmIT family with the introduction of ing into communications platforms? A ture” or truly “pervasive computing.” CharmIT Pro.The CharmIT Pro develop- number of wearable-wireless products Wireless technology could actually be ment kit is powered by an 800-MHz are now available. And there is no short- embedded in people. It would then let the Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 processor. It age of corporate and academic research environment react to the individual, has a 256-Mb SDRAM and a 20-Gb hard on future wearable-wireless technologies instead of having the person react to it. drive. A video controller, 3D audio, and and end products. In fact, some scientists Just think: This vision of reality may be 10/100 Ethernet are integrated in the believe that this “polite technology,” closer than you realize. motherboard, along with four serial ports and two Universal Serial Bus ports. A 32-b Mini PCI expansion slot allows the addition of peripherals. CharmIT Bundle completes this system with the operating system; finger mouse; connector kit; carrying bag; and batteries, cables, and charger. Various input devices and head- mounted displays also are available. Though all of these technologies are impressive, dramatic implications for the future of the wearable-wire- less industry are in the hands of Electronic Ink (E-Ink). Hailing from E-Ink Corp. (www.eink.com), with help from the MIT Media Lab, this proprietary display-material technol- ogy is thin, flexible, and rugged. At the same time, it offers high resolu- tion (SEE FIGURE). Best of all, it Remember when you were little and you could construct a plane, a boat, duplicates the benefits of convention- al ink on paper while boasting ultra- or a tank from one set of LEGO® bricks? The possibilities were endless! low power consumption. E-Ink dis- Spectrum Signal Processing’s flexComm Software Defined Radio (SDR) play material can be laminated or transceiver subsystems and building blocks offer the same flexibility. applied to virtually any substrate. With the ability to support a combination of air interface protocols, with These capabilities, along with its the same hardware, Spectrum’s SDR-3000 family of subsystems allows compatibility with bendable, non- you to dynamically reconfigure your wireless glass, shatterproof substrates, make the technology suitable for wearable- communications system. SDR-3000 helps you wireless applications. preserve your hardware and software E-Ink is a smart material that investment, ensures code portability changes the image it displays when and lowers your lifetime system costs. exposed to an electric field. Surfaces coated with it can therefore be updated continuously with new information. Compared to other low-power dis- plays, E-Ink displays require ten- to a hundred-fold less power. In handheld devices, this translates into a reduction in battery bulk. The first product based on E-Ink is called Ink-In-Motion. It is targeted for use in point-of-sale retail advertis- ing. Commercial prototypes have been developed for the high-resolu- tion, active-matrix displays used in personal digital assistants, mobile telecommunications, and electronic- reading devices. The company plans

WIRELESS SYSTEMS DESIGN DEC. 2002