If wearables and the Internet of things are to ever succeed, they need to be speaking a common “language” as more apps and APIs are developed. This panel will discuss protocols such as CMPP, CoAP, MQTT and Weave that are attempting to resolve the differences between the other and stop the creation of an IoT Tower of Babel.

Ethics: Wearables, Data Collection and Privacy

Flexible circuits are ideal for wearables since they are light, bendable and can conform to small form factors. And as wearables have matured from clunky watches to more streamlined devices and even smart clothing, the benefits of flexible circuits are clear. Learn about the possibilities of flexible circuits as they change conventional wearable applications to things we only saw in Sci-Fi films.

Future Outlook: Wearables in Healthcare

Right now, sensors are used in wearables to monitor physiological data, movement and even body temperature, but what about future applications? From the lock on your door to the heel of your shoe, sensors will be everywhere as we experience the dawn of the Internet of Things. Get a “sense” of the market as we head into a more connected world.

Getting the Competitive Edge: Wearables in Sports

We’re all familiar with conventional wearables devices such as smartwatches and rings, but smart fabrics are on the bleeding edge of the wearables industry. Smart clothing will revolutionize the world of athletics and military industries with functions such as body temperature and heart rate regulation; not to mention the aesthetic category of smart fabrics that can light up and change color. Find out more about trends in this innovative and growing space.

Smartwatches: Winning Features and Strategies

We’ve had two to three years of active smartwatch adoption. Which features work? Which don’t? Do users really want access to countless apps that are viewed on a small screen, or do they prefer functionality that shows them vital signs while having the watch act as a GPS? This panel of leading smartwatch developers will discuss the features that resonate most with users while offering tips on what not to do.

Tips for Rapid Prototyping Your Wearable

Rapid prototyping is essential when developing wearables. It’s cost effective, and with solutions like 3D printing, it’s becoming more and more feasible to do. Rapid prototyping is also a great way test out a wearable’s design to ensure the best UX before manufacturing. Attend this panel to learn tips, tricks, and pitfalls for rapid prototyping your wearable device.

Under the Hood: Chips Powering Next-Gen IoT Devices

Chips play an integral role in all electronic devices today, including wearable devices. Low-power solutions, such as Intel’s Curie Module, offer longer battery life and are usually no bigger than a coin, making it ideal for a range of devices beyond a smartwatch. Learn from this panel of leading OEMs about breakthroughs in chips, and what they mean for the future of wearable devices.

Virtual Reality – Opportunities Beyond Gaming

Virtual Reality may lend itself to gaming, but there are many applications beyond that. From advertising to TV and movies, there is a lot of potential to capture a larger market. Even NASA is dabbling with VR for training operators of remote robots. This panel will cover the ways VR can unlock opportunities to explore a virtual world that was unknown not long ago.

Wearable Data Management

There has long been a battle between NFC and Bluetooth connections, and each have pros and cons when it comes to wearables and the IoT. Near Field Communication is just that – it’s limited in its proximity capability – while Bluetooth can reach over 30 feet in distance. However, NFC consumes little power when compared to Bluetooth technology; and there are other wireless connection solutions to consider such as ZigBee. Find out which connection is best for different scenarios as well as tips and tricks for implementation.