https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/111175593/intelligent-sportswear-with-real-time-audio-coachi?ref=category

Description

The MBody project was created to help athletes to track important information about their body during their workout. It consist of a shorts that have sensors to monitor the leg muscles and a live application who receives the information sent by the short to show real time information about muscles load, heart rate and balance.

Why I selected it

I chose this project because it is a practical  example of how wearable technology can help people to live a better life. This project uses sensor to inform people about an important data that we couldn’t track before.

How well you think the project accomplishes its objectives

I think the MBody it’s pretty effective and useful in its purpose, because the information provided by it can be used to prevent injuries caused by excessive effort. Another good point of the project is the MBody coach app that provide real time advice to the athlete.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/09/18/12news-asu-jetpack/15806727/

Description

Project ‘Four Minute mile’ is essentially a jetpack that is used to amplify soldiers’ athleticism (run faster, jump higher, etc.).  After three years of research,  Arizona State University engineering student Jason Kerestes and professor Thomas Sugar have developed a device that can decrease a person’s mile time by 20 seconds.  ASU also developed an exoskeleton that uses an exoskeleton aid soldiers’ travel on foot.

Why I selected it

I came across this project a few weeks ago and found it very intriguing. I am very interested in the amplification of the human body (I love Iron Man!) so this was right up my alley.  Also, I was curious to see how the actual device works and I’m not sure if this video answered that question.

How well you think the project accomplishes its objectives

They claim to be able to improve  a soldier’s mile time by 20 seconds, but I find it hard to believe.  I did find another video from a different source where the runner only improved by a few seconds and didn’t run a 4 minute mile.

I think the logic behind this device is slightly flawed. You have to be physically capable to perform at the desired goal level.  Sure, propulsion will improve some time, but if the ability is not there, it can not be achieved.

That is why the runner only improved by a small margin. Plus, the situation changes both physically and mentally when your being tested and wearing a device.

http://www.cnet.com/news/with-this-jetpack-even-you-could-run-a-4-minute-mile/

Not only that, but I don’t think this device is practical.  Soldiers carry a lot of gear on there back and if they must carry this jetpack on their back, where are they going to carry their gear?  Also, that’s a lot of dead weight to carry when the jetpack is not in use.  In my opinion, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits here.

The Product

The Rocket is a motorized roller skate that straps to either sides of your shoes and can move at speeds of 12 mph. Depending on the model, they can run for up to 90 minutes, and they take about the same amount of time to recharge.

        Rocket skates also offers a smartphone app that displays info such as battery life, miles travelled, suggested routes and speed. They app also have a couple of social features that connect the user of the roller skate.

         In case you want to buy one, they are pre-ordering on the website with prices that vary from $499 on the simplest model to $699 on the most robust model.

Why I selected it?

I selected this product because when I was a child I used to see this kind of motorized roller skate on cartoons, and always wanted to have one, when I saw this video on the internet my first reaction was to look for more information about it.

 My Opinion

I think that it’s a really nice product. The main problem for me is the battery life of just 90 minutes on the most expensive version of the product and that it requires a little bit of practice to use.

Due: Before Class on September 25th

Find a project that deals with wearable computing and post a link.   These projects can either be research papers, kickstarters, blog posts and so on.

Format your post as follows:

1:  Post a link to the reference material.  
These can either be

1. A link to a research paper (PDF)
2. A blog post which describes the work (link)
3. A video which describes the work (Video Embed)

2: A brief description of the project.

Please include:

• A description of what this project does
• Why you selected it
• How well you think the project accomplishes its objectives

Label your post in the Assignments categories.

FAQ

How is this different from Assignment 2?

In Assignment 2 videos just needed to be related to the field.  This means that videos could be conceptual, as in Tom’s post.  However, for this assignment videos would need to be of a project (i.e. it really exists).  An example of a post which would work for both Assignment 2 and 3 would come from Eric’s post.

Due: Before class on September 11

Find a link to a video that pertains to wearable computing and technology.  These videos could come from youtube, vimeo, or a link to an external website.  Make a post using the “Links” category.

Due: Before class on September 4th.

Your first assignment is to find an article, video, blog post related to wearable computing, technology.  You will make a blog post on the website.

First, you need to log onto the site.  If you are off-campus, you will need use VPN.  You can find directions how to do so here

https://blogs.discovery.wisc.edu/wearable14/2014/08/29/for-off-campus-website-access-vpn/

Make sure your select the “Links” category on the right.

You will present these articles in class on September 4th.  In class you will:

1. Describe the purpose of your posted piece.  If it is an artifact, describe what it is, how it works, etc.  If the piece is argumentative, describe the position of the article.
2. Describe why it is interesting to you