Strengthening Health and Well-Being Through Digital Wearable Technology

Enhancing the relationship between people's health and well-being and the global digitalisation movement through the use of wearables will enable a broader understanding of health conditions and the optimisation of communication.

IDTechEx's portfolio of Wearable Technology Research Reports and Subscriptions is home to a multitude of wearable sensor technologies and applications

Diabetes Management and Digital Health Data

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are a clear example of how body-worn devices can provide a means of accessing and communicating data while people go about their day.

Smartphone apps will receive blood glucose data directly from the device and notify users when insulin may be required, allowing people with diabetes to manage their condition without constantly taking readings using the traditional finger-prick method.

The collection of data over time within the app will generate discernible trends that may not only help individuals gain better insight into their personal health but also contribute to the broader body of knowledge within the industry.

IDTechEx's report, "Wearable Sensors Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Trends, Players, Forecasts", explores CGMs as part of a much larger market of sensing technologies that encompasses motion, optical, force and strain, temperature, chemical, and quantum sensors, along with electrodes.

Smartwatches are among the most common wearable devices, worn by individuals seeking to monitor biometrics, including heart rate, step count, and sleep quality. Similarly, smart rings can achieve a sleek aesthetic whilst accurately providing health data, including fertility data, through a connected app.

IDTechEx predicts that the wearable sensors market will reach US$7.2 billion by 2035, growing at a combined compound annual growth rate of 5% between 2025 and 2035, indicating a steady uptake of wearable devices in commercial settings.

Peak Accessibility With Wearable Devices

The large array of wearable devices available is also stretching to create new and more unique accessibility possibilities, with applications such as smart glasses that use augmented reality technology.

Keeping up with conversations may be easier with real-time narration features, in which people who are hard of hearing can have text displayed on their lenses while someone speaks to them, ensuring no details are missed.

For entertainment, virtual reality and mixed reality headsets are common wearable devices; despite their greater weight and battery-life trade-offs, they can provide a fully immersive experience with high image clarity and a wide field of view.

IDTechEx's report, "Optics for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2026-2036: Technologies, Forecasts, Markets", explores virtual and augmented reality for the purposes of both entertainment and everyday accessibility.

Brain-computer interfaces are proving how wearable devices can provide a route to even greater accessibility for people who may need assistance with movements and communication.

Brain computer interfaces can interpret signals from the brain with different levels of invasiveness to control devices, with the use of electrodes or sensors, as IDTechEx's latest research found within the "Brain Computer Interfaces 2025-2045: Technologies, Players, Forecasts" report.