A low-power real-time operating system for ARC (actual remote control) wearable device

Wearable devices are now recognized as a powerful tool to collect physiological and environmental information in a smart, noninvasive, and real-time manner. Despite the rapid progress of wearable devices especially wearable electronic devices, there are still several challenges that limit their further development, for example, a complicated electrical signal acquisition and processing process to eliminate the interference from the surrounding signals, bulky power supply, inevitable e-waste, and environmental pollution. Herein, we report a 3D-printed recyclable, flexible, and wearable device for visualized UV, temperature, and sweat pH sensing. Compared with wearable electronic devices, our visualized wearable device senses environmental (UV light, ambient temperature), biophysical (skin temperature), and biochemical (sweat pH) signals via stimuli-responsive color change, which does not require complicated electronic circuit design/assembly, time-consuming data processing and additional power source. In addition, this visualized wearable device is fabricated via a 3D support bath printing technology by printing UV-, temperature-, and sweat pH-sensing inks containing photochromic, thermochromic, and pH-chromic materials, respectively, into/onto sustainable starch solution, resulting in a multi-functional, recyclable, and flexible sensing device with high reproducibility. Our results reveal that UV light intensities under sunlight (0–2500 μW/cm2), ambient, and skin temperatures (0–38 °C) as well as sweat pH (4.0–7.0) can be successfully monitored.

Wearable electronic devices represent a paradigm change in consumer electronics, on‐body sensing, artificial skins, and wearable communication and entertainment. Because all these electronic devices require energy to operate, wearable energy systems are an integral part of wearable devices. Essentially, the electrodes and other components present in these energy devices should be mechanically strong, flexible, lightweight, and comfortable to the user. Presented here is a critical review of those materials and devices developed for energy conversion and storage applications with an objective to be used in wearable devices. The focus is mainly on the advances made in the field of solar cells, triboelectric generators, Li‐ion batteries, and supercapacitors for wearable device development. As these devices need to be attached/integrated with the fabric, the discussion is limited to devices made in the form of ribbons, filaments, and fibers. Some of the important challenges and future directions to be pursued are also highlighted.

The paradigm of consumer electronic devices is being shifted from rigid hand-held devices to flexible/wearable devices in search of benefits such as enhanced usability and portability, excellent wear characteristics, and more functions in less space. However, the fundamental incompatibility of flexible/wearable devices and a rigid actuator brought forth a new issue obstructing commercialization of flexible/wearable devices. In this paper, we propose a new wave-shaped eco-friendly PVC gel, and a new flexible and bendable vibrotactile actuator that could easily be applied to wearable electronic devices. We explain the vibration mechanism of the proposed vibrotactile actuator and investigate its influence on the content of plasticizer for the performance of the proposed actuator. An experiment for measuring vibrational amplitude was conducted over a wide frequency range. The experiment clearly showed that the proposed vibrotactile actuator could create a variety of haptic sensations in wearable devices.

In recent years, intelligent wearable sensor devices have developed rapidly and can be seen everywhere in daily life. With the rapid development of electronic components and the continuous improvement of their performance, intelligent wearable intelligent products have gradually become possible and have shown explosive growth. In addition, intelligent wearable electronic devices have many advantages that traditional devices do not have. With the popularity of fitness wearable devices, intelligent wearable devices can also be used for real-time heart rate and dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring during marathon sports. It can effectively prevent sudden death. During marathon training and other health services, it is very important to use intelligent wearable sensor devices to monitor heart function. This paper puts forward a heart function monitoring system for marathon training based on intelligent wearable sensor, expounds the origin of marathon sports and the importance of heart function monitoring for marathon athletes during training. This paper discusses the technology and construction method of heart rate monitoring system based on intelligent wearable sensor device. At the same time, relevant experiments are carried out to verify the relevant performance of the intelligent wearable sensor device in the algorithm. The results show that the R wave detection accuracy of wearable devices based on traditional algorithms is usually between 92% and 93%. The R wave detection accuracy of the intelligent wearable sensor device improved by the algorithm in this paper has been improved to more than 97%, and the R wave detection accuracy of the algorithm in this paper is much higher than that of the traditional algorithm. This also reflects the effectiveness of the intelligent wearable sensor device of the algorithm during the training of marathon athletes.

Wearable electronic devices are a convenient solution to pain intensity assessment as they can provide continuous monitoring for more precise medication adjustments. However, there is little evidence regarding the use of wearable electronic devices for chronic pain intensity assessment. Our primary objective was to examine the physiologic parameters used by wearable electronic devices for chronic pain intensity assessment. We initially inquired PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase for studies evaluating the use of wearable electronic devices for chronic pain intensity assessment. We updated our inquiry by searching on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. English peer-reviewed studies were included, with no exclusions based on time frame or publication status. Of 348 articles that were identified on the first inquiry, 8 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Of 179 articles that were identified on the last inquiry, only 1 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. We found articles evaluating wristbands, smartwatches, and belts. Parameters evaluated were psychomotor and sleep patterns, space and time mobility, heart rate variability, and skeletal muscle electrical activity. Most of the studies found significant positive associations between physiological parameters measured by wearable electronic devices and self-reporting pain scales. Wearable electronic devices reliably reflect physiologic or biometric parameters, providing a physiological correlation for pain. Early stage investigation suggests that the degree of pain intensity can be discerned, which ideally will reduce the bias inherent to existing numeric/verbal scales. Further research on the use of these devices is vital.

In recent years, owing to the significant applications of health monitoring, wearable electronic devices such as smart watches, smart glass and wearable cameras have been growing rapidly. Gas sensor is an important part of wearable electronic devices for detecting pollutant, toxic, and combustible gases. However, in order to apply to wearable electronic devices, the gas sensor needs flexible, transparent, and working at room temperature, which are not available for traditional gas sensors. Here, we for the first time fabricate a light-controlling, flexible, transparentand working at room-temperature ethanol gas sensor by using commercial ZnO nanoparticles. The fabricated sensor not only exhibits fast and excellent photoresponse, but also shows high sensing response to ethanol under UV irradiation. Meanwhile, its transmittance exceeds 62% in the visible spectral range, and the sensing performance keeps the same even bent it at a curvature angle of 90o. Additionally, using commercial ZnO nanoparticles provides a facile and low-cost route to fabricate wearable electronic devices.

Flexible wearable device is an innovative technology product, using soft, lightweight material design, can fit the curve of the human body, providing a comfortable wearing experience. These devices typically integrate a variety of sensors, batteries, and connectivity technologies to enable biometric monitoring, motion tracking, communication, and other intelligent functions. Traditional electronic products tend to give a "stiff" impression that they cannot withstand bending, twisting and stretching. In recent years, under the background of the integration of electronic technology and modern material science technology, the emerging flexible electronic wearable device has become a research hotspot with its more flexible material, more sensitive and accurate signal transmission, and more extensive monitoring range. The development of flexible electronic technology has greatly improved the user's wearing experience and is more suitable for the free movement of the human body. This paper summarizes the basic principle and classification of key technologies of wearable electronic devices, and introduces the research progress and research trend.

With flexible robots' development, the requirements for highly stretchable sensors are getting higher and higher. At present, flexible sensors have been widely used in wearable electronic devices to obtain human physical parameters, such as wearable electronic devices, motion recognition, and healthcare. Though the measuring ability of sensitivity and range has been largely improved compared to the traditional ones, the hysteresis in the loading and unloading state has always limited these sensors' application, which negatively influences the sensors' reliability and accuracy. In this paper, through the combination of highly stretchable dielectric elastomer cross-linked with polar hydrophobic ionic liquid and polymerized under UV light, a highly sensitive and highly stretched sensor is prepared, reaching up to 10 times stretchability at most and maintaining a low hysteresis (2.5%). The investigated sensor showed a very short response time (100ms), adjustable conductivity. Combined with some of our structural innovations, we have used smart gloves, touch sensors, and other applications to prove this material's broad prospects in soft robots, motion detection, wearable devices, and medical care.

Flexible capacitive pressure sensors with a simple structure and low power consumption are attracting attention, owing to their wide range of applications in wearable electronic devices. However, it is difficult to manufacture pressure sensors with high sensitivity, wide detection range, and low detection limits. We developed a highly sensitive and flexible capacitive pressure sensor based on the porous Ecoflex, which has an aligned airgap structure and can be manufactured by simply using a mold and a micro-needle. The existence of precisely aligned airgap structures significantly improved the sensor sensitivity compared to other dielectric structures without airgaps. The proposed capacitive pressure sensor with an alignment airgap structure supports a wide range of working pressures (20–100 kPa), quick response time (≈100 ms), high operational stability, and low-pressure detection limit (20 Pa). Moreover, we also studied the application of pulse wave monitoring in wearable sensors, exhibiting excellent performance in wearable devices that detect pulse waves before and after exercise. The proposed pressure sensor is applicable in electronic skin and wearable medical assistive devices owing to its excellent functional features.

Recent advances in semiconductor technologies and computing systems have led to the proliferation of mobile and portable electronic devices opening the ubiquitous mobile computing environment. A wearable computing technology is an example for the user to facilely place such devices around the human body. The wearable electronic devices (e.g., wrist-type computers, earphones, video eyeglasses, and head-mounted displays) and sensors offer potentials for wide range of applications from the health management to ambient intelligence [1–2]. Since such devices are distributed on the human body, a body area network (BAN) can provide the connectivity between each wearable device with the communication range of the human body, corresponding to 1–2 m. Moreover, it should get powered by a very small battery in order to minimize its physical size and get connected through simple interfaces for the convenience of the use. Since the wearer utilizes wearable electronic devices and sensors continuously anytime and anywhere, the devices require a low power data transceiver employing energy-efficient communication schemes and also the high data rate operation needs for exchanging multimedia data such as audio or video over BANs.

ABSTRACTThe growing demand for self‐powered wearable electronic devices in healthcare, fitness, and entertainment has driven significant advancements in energy harvesting technologies. This review explores the latest progress in energy harvesting mechanisms that enable sustainable and autonomous wearable devices, with a particular emphasis on the role of polymers in their development. Polymers offer a unique combination of mechanical flexibility, biocompatibility, and lightweight properties, making them ideal for wearable applications. The review systematically categorizes the major energy harvesting technologies into three primary mechanisms: thermoelectric generators (TEGs), piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs), and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Each section provides an in‐depth discussion of the working principles, material innovations, fabrication techniques, and applications of these energy harvesting technologies in wearable systems. Beyond the fundamental mechanisms, the review discusses hybrid energy harvesting systems that integrate multiple energy sources to maximize power generation and ensure continuous device operation. The role of energy storage technologies, such as flexible supercapacitors and micro‐batteries, is also highlighted to address the intermittency challenges of ambient energy sources. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in improving energy conversion efficiency, enhancing device durability, and optimizing system integration for real‐world applications. The review identifies key research directions for overcoming these challenges, including advanced materials engineering, miniaturization techniques, and artificial intelligence‐driven energy management strategies. The findings presented in this review provide valuable insights into the development of next‐generation self‐powered wearable devices, paving the way for sustainable and efficient wearable electronics that seamlessly integrate into daily life.

Consumer electronic devices are becoming more complex and diverse. In order to provide users with an easy and convenient way of controlling various consumer electronics, it is necessary to use a universal way to control various devices. This requires using a user-friendly and intuitive interface. We introduce a wristwatch-type of remote that offers a unified way to control various devices. Total of seven gestures that are based on hand motions are defined. These seven gestures are suitable to the wearable wristwatch-type device. For a variety of systems, these gestures can be used in the same way. Gestures are not designed and analyzed in a discrete manner; instead, they are designed in continuous hand motions and analyzed in gesture commands. Also, a method of modeling a virtual menu from the menu on a consumer electronic device is introduced. With the virtual menu, the user is able to control various devices by using gestures. The virtual menu has to reflect hand motion characteristics and represents functions of electronic appliances. The virtual menu is implemented in XML to represent the basic menu construction and its properties. In order to use virtual menu, we introduce how a user's hand motions can be used in a fast and effective way. Finally we compare our wearable remote control to the conventional remote control through user tests in terms of user convenience and efficiency.

Many people in the world are living with chronic diseases, demanding continuous monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. Continuous physiological monitoring is key to providing preventive healthcare and accurate disease diagnosis, which leads to a growing demand for autonomous wearable technology. Wearable devices acquiring physiological information from the patient demand high-power efficiency to operate in a continuous acquisition mode. While power-saving techniques are applied in wearable devices for many application, very few are considered for biomedical applications. In this work, we explore existing techniques of power reduction for wearable medical devices. Our analysis addresses the power reduction of wearable medical devices and their generalization for different medical signal processing applications. In addition, we propose a taxonomy for power-saving techniques. The common categories of power-saving techniques are task scheduling, clock management, signal compression, and energy awareness. The presented analysis identifies the most appropriate and combined low-power techniques in wearable devices to reduce power consumption.

ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable electronic device–based exercise interventions on lower limb strength and balance in older adults.MethodsA systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the impact of exercise based on wearable electronic devices on health behaviors (such as muscle strength, balance, endurance, mental health, and cognitive function) in older adults. This meta-analysis included 13 two-arm, between-group studies and 4 single-arm, within-group studies, involving a total of 611 participants. The inclusion of single-arm studies in the meta-analysis was based on the limited availability of two-arm studies and to maximize the available evidence for understanding the broader effects of the intervention.ResultsThe results show that in the meta-analysis of two-arm controlled studies, exercise based on wearable electronic devices significantly improved lower limb strength (SMD = −0.60; 95% CI [−1.15, −0.05]; p < 0.001; I2 = 81%) and balance (SMD = −0.43; 95% CI [−0.81, −0.06]; I2 = 17%) in older adults. However, the high heterogeneity for lower limb strength (I2 = 81%) should be interpreted cautiously, as it suggests substantial variability across studies. Subgroup analysis found that interventions with a frequency of once per week, a session duration of 10–45 min, and a total intervention duration of 8–12 weeks showed the best improvement in lower limb strength. Additionally, in the meta-analysis of single-arm studies, exercise based on wearable electronic devices significantly improved lower limb strength (SMD = 0.51; 95% CI [0.05, 0.97]; I2 = 23.5%). However, no significant effects were found on endurance, upper limb strength, mental health, cognitive function, and waist-to-hip ratio.ConclusionThe significant improvements in lower limb strength and balance, as key factors in older adults’ health, may have a positive impact on physical activity function, but falls were not directly meta-analyzed in this study. The findings support the potential of wearable electronic device-based exercise to improve specific aspects of health in older adults, but further studies are needed to confirm its broader impact on fall prevention and other health outcomes.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, CRD420251273186.

Wearable electronic devices in parasports: A focused review on para athlete classification.