Technology Requirements for Wearable User Interface

Objective: The objective of this research is to investigate the fundamentals of human computer interaction for wearable computers and derive technology requirements. Background: A wearable computer can be worn anytime with the support of unrestricted communications and a variety of services which provide maximum capability of information use. Key challenges in developing such wearable computers are the level of comfort that users do not feel what they wear, and easy and intuitive user interface. The research presented in this paper examines user interfaces for wearable computers. Method: In this research, we have classified the wearable user interface technologies and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages from the user"s point of view. Based on this analysis, we issued a user interface technology to conduct research and development for commercialization. Results: Technology requirements are drawn to make wearable computers commercialized. Conclusion: The user interface technology for wearable system must start from the understanding of the ergonomic aspects of the end user, because users wear the system on their body. Developers do not try to develop a state-of-the-art technology without the requirement analysis of the end users. If people do not use the technology, it can"t survive in the market. Currently, there is no dominant wearable user interface in the world. So, this area might try a new challenge for the technology beyond the traditional interface paradigm through various approaches and attempts. Application: The findings in this study are expected to be used for designing user interface for wearable systems, such as digital clothes and fashion apparel.