Editing Wearable computer (section)

==History==
[[File:Wearcompevolution.jpg|thumb|509x509px|right|Evolution of [[Steve Mann (inventor)|Steve Mann]]'s ''WearComp'' wearable computer from backpack based systems of the 1980s to his current covert systems]]
Due to the varied definitions of ''wearable'' and ''computer'', the first wearable computer could be as early as the first abacus on a necklace, a 16th-century abacus ring, a [[wristwatch]] and 'finger-watch' owned by [[Queen Elizabeth I]] of England, or the covert timing devices hidden in shoes to cheat at roulette by Thorp and Shannon in the 1960s and 1970s.<ref name="Thorp">{{cite book|last=Thorp|first=Edward|title=Digest of Papers. Second International Symposium on Wearable Computers (Cat. No.98EX215) |chapter=The invention of the first wearable computer |date=October 1998|pages=4–8|doi=10.1109/iswc.1998.729523|isbn=0-8186-9074-7|s2cid=1526}}</ref>

However, a general-purpose computer is not merely a time-keeping or calculating device, but rather a user-programmable item for arbitrary complex [[algorithm]]s, [[interface (computing)|interfacing]], and data management. By this definition, the wearable computer was invented by [[Steve Mann (inventor)|Steve Mann]], in the late 1970s:<ref name=ISSCC2000>{{cite news |title=IEEE ISSCC 2000: 'Dick Tracy' watch watchers disagree |author=Peter Clarke |work=EE Times| url=http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4039816/ISSCC--Dick-Tracy-watch-watchers-disagree}}</ref><ref name=Watier>{{cite news |title=Marketing Wearable Computers to Consumers: An Examination of Early Adopter Consumers' Feelings and Attitudes Toward Wearable Computers |author=Katherine Watier |date=19 April 2003 |work=Washington, DC }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Tara Kieffner |title=Wearable Computers: An Overview |url=http://misnt.indstate.edu/harper/Wearable_Computers.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010526051405/http://misnt.indstate.edu/harper/Wearable_Computers.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2001-05-26 }}</ref>

{{quotation |Steve Mann, a professor at the [[University of Toronto]], was hailed as the father of the wearable computer and the ISSCC's first virtual panelist, by moderator Woodward Yang of Harvard University (Cambridge Mass.).|IEEE ISSCC 8 Feb. 2000}}

The development of wearable items has taken several steps of miniaturization from discrete electronics over hybrid designs to fully integrated designs, where just one processor chip, a battery, and some interface conditioning items make the whole unit.

===1500s===
[[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] of [[England]] received a watch from [[Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester|Robert Dudley]] in 1571, as a New Year present; it may have been worn on the forearm rather than the wrist. She also possessed a 'finger-watch' set in a ring, with an alarm that prodded her finger.<ref>David Boettcher, [http://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/wristwatchinvention.php "The "Invention" of the Wristwatch"], ''Eur Ing David Boettcher'', April 2015</ref>

===1600s===
The [[Qing dynasty]] saw the introduction of a fully functional [[abacus]] on a [[Ring (jewellery)|ring]], which could be used while it was being worn.<ref name=Interaction-Design /><ref name=AbacusRing>{{cite news |title=Huizhou people's abacus complex |date=2006-07-20 |agency=Xinhua News Agency}}</ref>

===1960s===
In 1961, mathematicians [[Edward O. Thorp]] and [[Claude Shannon]] built some computerized timing devices to help them win a game of [[roulette]]. One such timer was concealed in a shoe<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-15 |title=Eudaemonic Lightvectors |url=http://www.eyetap.org/wearcam/eudaemonic/ |access-date=2022-02-10 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515091354/http://www.eyetap.org/wearcam/eudaemonic/ |archive-date=15 May 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and another in a pack of cigarettes. Various versions of this apparatus were built in the 1960s and 1970s.

Thorp refers to himself as the inventor of the first "wearable computer".<ref name="Thorp" /> In other variations, the system was a concealed cigarette-pack-sized [[analog computer]] designed to predict the motion of roulette wheels. A data-taker would use [[microswitch]]es hidden in his shoes to indicate the speed of the roulette wheel, and the computer would indicate an [[Octant (plane geometry)|octant]] of the roulette wheel to bet on by sending musical tones via radio to a miniature speaker hidden in a collaborator's ear canal. The system was successfully tested in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] in June 1961, but hardware issues with the speaker wires prevented it from being used beyond test runs.<ref name="BtD">Raseana.k.a shigady, ''Beat the Dealer'', 2nd Edition, Vintage, New York, 1966. {{ISBN|0-394-70310-3}}</ref> This was not a wearable computer because it could not be re-purposed during use; rather it was an example of task-specific hardware. This work was kept secret until it was first mentioned in Thorp's book ''Beat the Dealer'' (revised ed.) in 1966<ref name="BtD"/> and later published in detail in 1969.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.2307/1402118|jstor=1402118|title=Optimal Gambling Systems for Favorable Games|journal=Revue de l'Institut International de Statistique / Review of the International Statistical Institute|volume=37|issue=3|pages=273–293|year=1969|last1=Thorp|first1=E. O.}}</ref>

===1970s===
[[Pocket calculator]]s became mass-market devices in 1970, starting in Japan. [[Programmable calculators]] followed in the late 1970s, being somewhat more general-purpose computers. The HP-01 algebraic [[calculator watch]] by Hewlett-Packard was released in 1977.<ref name="Marion">Andre F. Marion, Edward A. Heinsen, Robert Chin, and Bennie E. Helmso, wrist instrument Opens New Dimension in Personal Information [http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/histnfacts/museum/personalsystems/0022/other/0022hpjournal.pdf "Wrist instrument opens new dimension in personal information"], Hewlett-Packard Journal, December 1977. See also [http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/histnfacts/museum/personalsystems/0022/index.html HP-01 wrist instrument, 1977].</ref>

A camera-to-tactile vest for the blind, launched by C.C. Collins in 1977, converted images into a 1024-point, ten-inch square [[haptic technology|tactile grid]] on a vest.<ref name="collins">C.C. Collins, L.A. Scadden, and A.B. Alden, "Mobile Studies with a Tactile Imaging Device," ''Fourth Conference on Systems & Devices for the Disabled'', 1–3 June 1977, Seattle WA.</ref>

===1980s===
The 1980s saw the rise of more general-purpose wearable computers. In 1981, [[Steve Mann (inventor)|Steve Mann]] designed and built a backpack-mounted 6502-based wearable multimedia computer with text, graphics, and multimedia capability, as well as video capability (cameras and other photographic systems). [[Steve Mann (inventor)|Mann]] went on to be an early and active researcher in the wearables field, especially known for his 1994 creation of the Wearable Wireless [[Webcam]], the first example of [[lifelog]]ging.<ref>{{cite book|doi=10.1109/iswc.1997.629921|chapter=An historical account of the 'WearComp' and 'WearCam' inventions developed for applications in 'personal imaging'|title=Digest of Papers. First International Symposium on Wearable Computers|pages=66–73|year=1997|last1=Mann|first1=S.|isbn=0-8186-8192-6|s2cid=1075800}}</ref><ref name=FirstStep>{{cite journal| title= Wearable Computing: A First Step Toward Personal Imaging |journal=IEEE Computer |volume=30 |number=2 |pages= 25–32|url=http://wearcam.org/ieeecomputer/r2025.htm |doi=10.1109/2.566147|citeseerx=10.1.1.58.3706 |year=1997 |last1=Mann |first1=S. |s2cid=28001657 }}</ref>

[[Seiko Epson]] released the [[RC-20]] Wrist Computer in 1984. It was an early [[smartwatch]], powered by a [[computer on a chip]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbh1XP4kCT4 Japanese PCs (1984)] (14:05), ''[[Computer Chronicles]]''</ref>

In 1989, Reflection Technology marketed the Private Eye [[head-mounted display]], which scans a vertical array of [[Light-emitting diode|LEDs]] across the visual field using a vibrating mirror. This display gave rise to several hobbyist and research wearables, including Gerald "Chip" Maguire's [[IBM]]/[[Columbia University]] Student Electronic Notebook,<ref name="Bade">J. Peter Bade, G.Q. Maguire Jr., and David F. Bantz, The IBM/Columbia Student Electronic Notebook Project, IBM, T. J. Watson Research Lab., Yorktown Heights, NY, 29 June 1990. (The work was first shown at the [[DARPA]] Workshop on Personal Computer Systems, Washington, D.C., 18 January 1990.)</ref> Doug Platt's Hip-PC,<ref>{{cite journal | author=Simson Garfinkel|title=Dressed for Success|journal=The Village Voice|date=9 March 1993|url=http://simson.net/clips/1993/1993.VillageVoice.Dressed_For_Success.pdf|page=51}}</ref> and [[Carnegie Mellon University]]'s VuMan 1 in 1991.<ref name="Platt">{{cite web |url=http://www.wearablegroup.org/ |title=WearableGroup at Carnegie Mellon |access-date=2017-09-25 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927063238/http://www.wearablegroup.org/ |archive-date=27 September 2010}}</ref>

The Student Electronic Notebook consisted of the Private Eye, [[Toshiba]] diskless AIX [[notebook computer]]s (prototypes), a stylus based input system and a [[virtual keyboard]]. It used [[direct-sequence spread spectrum]] radio links to provide all the usual [[TCP/IP]] based services, including [[Network File System|NFS]] mounted file systems and X11, which all ran in the Andrew Project environment.

The Hip-PC included an Agenda palmtop used as a [[Chorded keyboard|chording keyboard]] attached to the belt and a 1.44 megabyte [[Floppy Drive|floppy drive]]. Later versions incorporated additional equipment from Park Engineering. The system debuted at "The Lap and Palmtop Expo" on 16 April 1991.

VuMan 1 was developed as part of a Summer-term course at Carnegie Mellon's Engineering Design Research Center, and was intended for viewing house blueprints. Input was through a three-button unit worn on the belt, and output was through Reflection Tech's Private Eye. The [[Central processing unit|CPU]] was an 8&nbsp;MHz 80188 processor with 0.5 MB [[Read-only memory|ROM]].

===1990s===
In the 1990s [[Personal digital assistant|PDAs]] became widely used, and in 1999 were combined with [[mobile phone]]s in Japan to produce the first mass-market [[smartphone]].

[[File:Datalink USB Dress Edition.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Timex Datalink]] USB Dress edition with ''Invasion'' video game. The watch crown (''icontrol'') can be used to move the defender left to right and the fire control is the Start/Split button on the lower side of the face of the watch at 6 o' clock.]]
In 1993, the Private Eye was used in [[Thad Starner]]'s wearable, based on [[Doug Platt]]'s system and built from a kit from Park Enterprises, a Private Eye display on loan from [[Devon Sean McCullough]], and the Twiddler chording keyboard made by Handykey. Many iterations later this system became the [[MIT]] "Tin Lizzy" wearable computer design, and Starner went on to become one of the founders of MIT's wearable computing project. 1993 also saw [[Columbia University]]'s augmented-reality system known as KARMA (Knowledge-based Augmented Reality for Maintenance Assistance). Users would wear a Private Eye display over one eye, giving an overlay effect when the real world was viewed with both eyes open. KARMA would overlay wireframe schematics and maintenance instructions on top of whatever was being repaired. For example, graphical wireframes on top of a laser printer would explain how to change the paper tray. The system used sensors attached to objects in the physical world to determine their locations, and the entire system ran tethered from a desktop computer.<ref name="Feiner">{{cite journal|doi=10.1145/159544.159587|title=Knowledge-based augmented reality|journal=Communications of the ACM|volume=36|issue=7|pages=53–62|year=1993|last1=Feiner|first1=Steven|author1-link=Steven K. Feiner|last2=MacIntyre|first2=Blair|last3=Seligmann|first3=Dorée|s2cid=9930875|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="feiner2">{{cite web|url=http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/graphics/projects/karma/karma.html|title=KARMA|work=columbia.edu|access-date=9 April 2005|archive-date=18 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118004919/http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/graphics/projects/karma/karma.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1994, [[Edgar Matias]] and Mike Ruicci of the [[University of Toronto]], debuted a "wrist computer." Their system presented an alternative approach to the emerging head-up display plus chord keyboard wearable. The system was built from a modified HP 95LX palmtop computer and a Half-QWERTY one-handed keyboard. With the keyboard and display modules strapped to the operator's forearms, text could be entered by bringing the wrists together and typing.<ref name="Matias 94">{{cite book|doi=10.1145/259963.260024|chapter=Half-QWERTY: Typing with one hand using your two-handed skills|title=Conference Companion on Human Factors in Computing Systems - CHI '94|pages=51–52|year=1994|last1=Matias|first1=Edgar|last2=MacKenzie|first2=I. Scott|last3=Buxton|first3=William|isbn=0897916514|s2cid=356533}}</ref> The same technology was used by IBM researchers to create the half-keyboard "belt computer.<ref name="Mattias 96">{{cite book|doi=10.1145/257089.257146|chapter=A wearable computer for use in microgravity space and other non-desktop environments|title=Conference Companion on Human Factors in Computing Systems - CHI '96|pages=69–70|year=1996|last1=Matias|first1=Edgar|last2=MacKenzie|first2=I. Scott|last3=Buxton|first3=William|isbn=0897918320|s2cid=36192147}}</ref> Also in 1994, Mik Lamming and Mike Flynn at [[PARC (company)|Xerox EuroPARC]] demonstrated the Forget-Me-Not, a wearable device that would record interactions with people and devices and store this information in a database for later query.<ref>Mik Lamming and Mike Flynn, [http://www.lamming.com/mik/Papers/fmn.pdf "'Forget-me-not' Intimate Computing in Support of Human Memory"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060426205744/http://www.lamming.com/mik/Papers/fmn.pdf |date=26 April 2006 }} in ''Proceedings FRIEND21 Symposium on Next Generation Human Interfaces''</ref> It interacted via wireless transmitters in rooms and with equipment in the area to remember who was there, who was being talked to on the telephone, and what objects were in the room, allowing queries like "Who came by my office while I was on the phone to Mark?". As with the Toronto system, Forget-Me-Not was not based on a head-mounted display.

Also in 1994, [[DARPA]] started the Smart Modules Program to develop a modular, ''humionic'' approach to wearable and carryable computers, with the goal of producing a variety of products including computers, radios, navigation systems and human-computer interfaces that have both military and commercial use. In July 1996, DARPA went on to host the "Wearables in 2005" workshop, bringing together industrial, university, and military visionaries to work on the common theme of delivering computing to the individual.<ref name="DARPA">E.C. Urban, Kathleen Griggs, Dick Martin, Dan Siewiorek and Tom Blackadar, [http://www.darpa.mil/MTO/Displays/Wear2005/ Proceedings of Wearables in 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050914132505/http://www.darpa.mil/MTO/Displays/Wear2005/ |date=14 September 2005 }}, Arlington, VA, 18–19 July 1996.</ref> A follow-up conference was hosted by [[Boeing]] in August 1996, where plans were finalized to create a new academic conference on wearable computing. In October 1997, Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, and [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] co-hosted the [[IEEE]] [[International Symposium on Wearable Computers|International Symposium on Wearables Computers (ISWC)]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]. The symposium was a full academic conference with published proceedings and papers ranging from sensors and new hardware to new applications for wearable computers, with 382 people registered for the event. In 1998, the Microelectronic and Computer Technology Corporation created the Wearable Electronics consortial program for industrial companies in the U.S. to rapidly develop wearable computers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-02-24 |title=MCC Launches Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Investigation |url=http://www2.mcc.com/mcc/press/news/micro_EM_sys.html |access-date=2022-02-10 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990224001855/http://www2.mcc.com/mcc/press/news/micro_EM_sys.html |archive-date=24 February 1999 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The program preceded the MCC Heterogeneous Component Integration Study, an investigation of the technology, infrastructure, and business challenges surrounding the continued development and integration of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) with other system components.

In 1998, Steve Mann invented and built the world's first smartwatch. It was featured on the cover of Linux Journal in 2000, and demonstrated at ISSCC 2000.<ref>[https://www.delltechnologies.com/en-us/perspectives/podcasts-trailblazers-s03-e02/ Watches: Innovation on Time, Trailblazers, Season 3, Episode 2]</ref><ref>The History of Wearable Tech: From Calculator Watches to VR Headsets, Social Media Week, 5 April 2018</ref><ref>Linux Journal, July 2000, Issue 75, Cover + pages 86-91</ref>

===2000s===
Dr. [[Bruce H. Thomas]] and Dr. Wayne Piekarski developed the Tinmith wearable computer system to support [[augmented reality]]. This work was first published internationally in 2000 at the ISWC conference. The work was carried out at the Wearable Computer Lab in the [[University of South Australia]].

In 2002, as part of [[Kevin Warwick]]'s [[Kevin Warwick#Project Cyborg|Project Cyborg]], Warwick's wife, Irena, wore a necklace which was electronically linked to Warwick's nervous system via an implanted [[electrode array]]. The color of the necklace changed between red and blue dependent on the signals on Warwick's nervous system.<ref>Warwick, K, "I, Cyborg", University of Illinois Press, 2004</ref>

Also in 2002, [[Xybernaut]] released a wearable computer called the Xybernaut Poma Wearable PC, Poma for short. ''Poma'' stood for Personal Media Appliance. The project failed for a few reasons though the top reasons are that the equipment was expensive and clunky. The user would wear a head-mounted optical piece, a CPU that could be clipped onto clothing, and a mini keyboard that was attached to the user's arm.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cultofmac.com/311850/first-wearable-computer-xybernaut-poma |title=First wearable computers made you look like a freaking Borg |first=David |last=Pierini |date=26 July 2015 |access-date=23 May 2018 |work=Cult of Mac}}</ref>

[[GoPro]] released their first product, the [[GoPro#35mm|GoPro HERO 35mm]], which began a successful franchise of wearable cameras. The cameras can be worn atop the head or around the wrist and are shock and waterproof. GoPro cameras are used by many athletes and extreme sports enthusiasts, a trend that became very apparent during the early 2010s.

In the late 2000s, various Chinese companies began producing mobile phones in the form of wristwatches, the descendants of which as of 2013 include the i5 and i6, which are GSM phones with 1.8-inch displays, and the [[ZGPAX s5]] [[Android (operating system)|Android]] wristwatch phone.

===2010s===
[[File:IPod Nano - LunaTik and TikTok.jpg|thumb|LunaTik, a machined wristband attachment for the [[IPod Nano#6th generation|6th-generation iPod Nano]]|198x198px]]
Standardization with [[IEEE]], [[IETF]], and several industry groups (e.g. [[Bluetooth]]) lead to more various interfacing under the [[Wireless personal area network|WPAN]] (wireless personal area network). It also led the [[Body area network|WBAN]] (Wireless body area network) to offer new classification of designs for interfacing and networking. The [[IPod Nano#6th generation|6th-generation iPod Nano]], released in September 2010, has a wristband attachment available to convert it into a wearable wristwatch computer.

The development of wearable computing spread to encompass [[rehabilitation engineering]], ambulatory intervention treatment, life guard systems, and defense wearable systems.{{Clarify|date=April 2012}}

[[Sony]] produced a wristwatch called [[Sony SmartWatch]] that must be paired with an Android phone. Once paired, it becomes an additional remote display and notification tool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/accessories/smartwatch/|title=Sony SmartWatch}}</ref>

[[Fitbit]] released several wearable fitness trackers and the [[List of Fitbit products#Fitbit Surge|Fitbit Surge]], a full [[smartwatch]] that is compatible with [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]].

On 11 April 2012, [[Pebble (watch)|Pebble]] launched a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to raise $100,000 for their initial smartwatch model. The campaign ended on 18 May with $10,266,844, over 100 times the fundraising target.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techland.time.com/2012/05/10/pebble-smartwatch-pre-orders-sold-out/|title=Pebble Smartwatch Pre-Orders Are Sold Out, $10+ Million Pledged|last=Newman|first=Jared|newspaper=Time|issn=0040-781X|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref> Pebble released several smartwatches, including the [[Pebble Time]] and the Pebble Round.

[[File:Google Glass detail.jpg|thumb|right|[[Google Glass]], Google's [[head-mounted display]], which was launched in 2013]]
Google Glass launched their [[optical head-mounted display]] (OHMD) to a test group of users in 2013, before it became available to the public on 15 May 2014.<ref>{{Citation | title = Here's your chance to get Google glass | newspaper = Gadget cluster | date = Apr 2014 | url = http://www.gadgetcluster.com/2014/04/heres-your-chance-to-get-google-glass/ | access-date = 17 February 2016 | archive-date = 6 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170506192806/http://www.gadgetcluster.com/2014/04/heres-your-chance-to-get-google-glass/ | url-status = dead }}.</ref> Google's mission was to produce a mass-market [[ubiquitous computing|ubiquitous computer]] that displays information in a [[smartphone]]-like hands-free format<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2402613,00.asp|work=PC Magazine|title=Google 'Project Glass' Replaces the Smartphone With Glasses|first=Chloe|last=Albanesius| date=4 April 2012|access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> that can interact with the Internet via [[Natural language processing|natural language]] voice commands.<ref>{{cite news|title=Google's 'Project Glass' Teases Augmented Reality Glasses|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/253200/googles_project_glass_teases_augmented_reality_glasses.html|work=PC World|last=Newman|first=Jared| date=4 April 2012|access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="NYT 2012-02-23">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/technology/google-glasses-will-be-powered-by-android.html|title=Behind the Google Goggles, Virtual Reality|last=Bilton|first=Nick|work=The New York Times|date=23 February 2012|access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> Google Glass received criticism over privacy and safety concerns. On 15 January 2015, Google announced that it would stop producing the Google Glass prototype but would continue to develop the product. According to Google, Project Glass was ready to "graduate" from [[Google X]], the experimental phase of the project.<ref name="BBC News 15 January 2015">{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30831128 |title= Google Glass sales halted but firm says kit is not dead |date= 15 January 2015 |website=BBC News | access-date=15 January 2015}}</ref>

[[Thync]], a headset launched in 2014, is a wearable that stimulates the brain with mild electrical pulses, causing the wearer to feel energized or calm based on input into a phone app. The device is attached to the temple and to the back of the neck with an adhesive strip.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/02/hands-on-with-thyncs-mood-altering-headset/|title=Hands-On With Thync's Mood-Altering Headset|last=Russell|first=Kyle|website=TechCrunch |date=2015-06-02 |access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>

[[Macrotellect Ltd|Macrotellect]] launched two portable brainwave ([[Electroencephalography|EEG]]) sensing devices, BrainLink Pro and BrainLink Lite in 2014, which allows families and meditation students to enhance the mental fitness and stress relief with 20+ brain fitness enhancement Apps on Apple and Android App Stores.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://o.macrotellect.com/app.html|title=APP – Macrotellect|website=o.macrotellect.com|access-date=2016-12-13}}</ref>

In January 2015, [[Intel]] announced the sub-miniature Intel Curie for wearable applications, based on its [[Intel Quark]] platform. As small as a button, it features a six-axis [[accelerometer]], a DSP sensor hub, a Bluetooth LE unit, and a battery charge controller.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wearables/wearable-soc.html|title=Intel® Curie™ Module: Unleashing Wearable Device Innovation|date=2015-01-06|publisher=Intel|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> It was scheduled to ship in the second half of the year.

On 24 April 2015, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] released their take on the smartwatch, known as the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch features a touchscreen, many applications, and a heart-rate sensor.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Brian X. |last1=Chen |first2=Nick |last2=Bilton |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/technology/building-a-better-battery.html |title=Building a Better Battery |date=2 February 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref> The Apple Watch would later become the most popular wristwatch in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=2020-02-06 |title=Apple now sells more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/5/21125565/apple-watch-sales-2019-swiss-watch-market-estimates-outsold |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

Some advanced VR headsets require the user to wear a desktop-sized computer as a backpack to enable them to move around freely.

=== 2020s ===
On June 5, 2023, Apple unveiled the [[Apple Vision Pro|Vision Pro]], an AR headset with a computer built in that has a screen on the front, allowing others to see the wearer's face.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing Apple Vision Pro: Apple's first spatial computer |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/introducing-apple-vision-pro/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>