"Limitations
Wearable computers acquire all of the attributes and constraints of any wireless network. The gaps include limited bandwidth, seamless communication, and ubiquitous access. Other tough issues fall into four categories – technical, social, economical, and political. The technical issues involve protocols, mobility/disconnected operation, infrastructure maintenance, saturation and ubiquitous access. The social issues are primarily privacy and security. The economical issues are billing and commerce and the political issues involve access rights and spectrum ownership. (Boeing Wearable Computer Workshop, 1996)
The technology limitations associated specifically with wearable computers are primarily with the screen and with the means for controlling the computer. The head-mounted displays are still low resolution and the user may lose vision when moving about. There is not a seamless mechanism for inputting and outputting. (Gartner Group Analyst. Fenn, J. Personal Communication, 1999, July 27) Additionally there are limitations with the power supplies, heat dissipation, and bulkiness. Steve Mann experimented with the first class of Cyborgs this year at the University of Toronto. Students complained that the " Xyberbaut systems were not really all that wearable – at least, not comfortably for more than a few minutes at a time." The battery life was too short to allow online, extended use. Although the system supports a windows operating system, it remains cooler with a more efficient, less user friendly code. To gain wider acceptance, the cyborg outfit must become less cumbersome. (Mann, S., 1999) "
the full article can be found on http://www.johnsaunders.com/papers/wearable.htm
Another issue that has come up quite recently that could effect wearable computers is the use of WiFi. During the last few weeks a report was out that the teachers want more research into the health risks of WiFi. If a wearable computer was to use WiFi there might be concerns on whether it is safe to use or not.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6583213.stm
Mansoor
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