It will take some time to get used to “Wearable Tech”

This picture is about 10 years old. It was taken when I was at the MIT Media Lab. It’s not the Google Glass that is currently making headlines. At the time, some researchers were experimenting with 24-hr wearable computers.

Now that attention is being paid to “wearable” tech, my reaction is, “Eh? We’re still not there yet?” The following is an excerpt from a magazine article that I wrote in April, 1999.

Here at MIT, wearable tech has been a popular theme for the last two years. Even in Japan, IBM and Toshiba announced trial products in 1998, a newspaper company held symposiums, and it seemed that the products were on the verge of becoming practical for everyday use. It seems that “The cyberpunks have landed!”

Let’s take a look at someone who really wears a computer. It involved an eye-glass style display and headphones. Some even have a goggle-type head-mounted display such as those that became popular for use in virtual reality. For input, one has the choice of voice command, buttons in the palm, or keyboards attached to clothing.

This device isn’t used like a computer. In the case of a computer, one decides to use it, sits down in front of the screen, switches it on, and waits for the OS to load. In the case of wearable tech, the switch is always on. It’s more of an aid that one can use while walking, thinking, and working. A PC it’s designed to require all of one’s attention, and it’s difficult to be a “nagarazoku” (a young person who watches TV or listens to the radio while working). Wearable tech was created for just such people.

For the time being it will only be used for special applications, for example factory and warehouse work, or healthcare for the elderly. However, applications will increase rapidly. Technologically this is no problem. The difficult aspect is getting people to become accustomed to the idea. Here at the Media Lab there have been cyberpunks wearing computers for years, but the day when others don’t look at them as “strange” is still far off.

 How about it? Do you get the impression that things haven’t changed at all? It was when we were switching from desktop to laptop. I went to MIT with my Sony VAIO, many people were impressed. That was the last great era for Japan.

 Since then, the “always on” nature of mobile communication has become a reality. Devices got smaller and the smartphone was born.  The cloud was developed and all work went online.

 After 15 years, we finally have reached the 24-hr always-on stage. However, it can’t be said that we have fully accustomed ourselves to this yet, without looking at it as strange. It will still take time. Cool wearable tech. After 15 years, that’s the point.