The document discusses the future of wearable technology for millennials. It hypothesizes that millennials expect wearable tech to be fashionable, multifunctional, augment both digital and real-life experiences, and connect their multi-media lifestyles. It explores the forces of technology, singularity (accelerating rate of tech change), and economics that are driving wearable tech. Examples are provided of current and potential wearable products catering to millennials by fulfilling desires for health, gaming, social connection, and technology integration. The document concludes with an opportunity for augmented apparel that enhances millennials' always-connected experiences.

1. THE FUTURE OF
WEARABLE
TECHNOLOGY
FOR MILLENIALS
ALI ROSE VANOVERBEK E
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
DECEMBER 2012

2. HYPOTHESIS
Millenials expect wearable technology that is fashionable,
multifunctional, augments digital and real life experience and
connects their multi-media lifestyle

3. FORCES
TECHNOLOGY SINGULARITY ECONOMICS

4. FORCETECHNOLOGY
-Millenials are a generation of
technology multi-taskers & cram
10:45 hours of multimedia in to
7:38 hours each day (Kaiser
Family Foundation’s Generation
M2 survey)
-”Over half (53%) of 16- to 22-
year-olds said they would rather
give up their sense of smell than
give up their technology.”
(McCann World Group)
-Millenials expect their workplace
to take advantage of and
embrace technology.
-14 million wearable devices
were shipped in 2011; by 2016
wearable tech will represent a
minimum revenue opportunity of
$6 billion (IMS research report)

5. FORCESINGULARITY
-”The event when the rate of
technological change becomes
human surpassing”
-Blurring of man and machine
-Computers are getting faster
(Singularity: Kurzweil on 2045,
TIME magazine)
-IBM super computer Watson
defeated two Jeopardy
champions in February 2011
-Singularity is expected by
2045 (Kurzweil)
-”The quality of artificial
intelligence created will be
about a billion times the sum
of all the human intelligence
that exists today.” (Kurzweil)

6. FORCEECONOMICS
-Experiencing inflation to
minimize debt burden
-1.5% of World GDP is made
of products that half in price
every 18 months
-Constant pressure to create
new and improved products
every few months to occupy
prime price points
-Inflation causes revenues of
tech companies to rise &
their earnings-per-share to
surge
-The biggest beneficiaries of
inflation are tech companies
and those tied to them.
(The Impact of Computing)

7. ADIDAS MICOACH HEART-RATE MONITOR
AND FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Fulfills consumer desire
Driven by
SUPERNOVA SPORTS BRA
for multi-functional wearable technology. Recognizes consumer health consciousness
& perceived social status living fit lifestyle. Integrates and enhances real life experience
through technology. CODES: Health/Wellness , Networking/Community

8. 3RD SPACE FPS GAMING VEST
Driven by FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Allows you to “feel
what you’ve been missing. Incorporates technology to give consumer a more
authentic role playing experience. Amplifies gaming intensity. CODES:
Fantasy/Escapism, Networking/Community

9. THE ‘LIKE-A-HUG’ FACEBOOK JACKET
Driven by FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Allows user to feel
warmth, encouragement, support or love we feel when they receive hugs. Response to
desire for more authentic and deeper relationships that technology often distracts from.
CODES: Networking/Community

10. INTERAXON MUSE HEADBAND
Driven by FORCES of technology, singularity, and economics. Example of mind controlling
technology that can be used to focus your mind, train your brain, improve thought control,
and used to control apps and play games. Response to consumer desire for technology
integration and multitasking from a single device. CODES: Community/Networking,
Escapism/Fantasy

11. SUBCULTUREPOST-GEEK
-Not concerned with labels
being barriers to their
interests
-Highly connected with
lifelong exposure to multiple
communication and media
technologies
-Openly embraces
philosophies and aesthetics
from a multitude of culture
-Early adopter of technology
-Loves gadgets
-Appreciates design,
function, utility, heritage &
transparency
-Educated, college graduate

12. OPPORTUNITYAUGMENTED APPAREL
To enhance the always
connected millenials
experience wearable
technology needs to be:
-Interactive
-Stylish
-Comfortable
-Cross functional
Millenials are budget
conscious and looking for
VALUE. If wearable
technology can
simultaneously meet these
needs consumers feel they
are getting more bang for
their buck

13. CLIENTCARHARTT
Founded 1889 by Hamilton Carhart. Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Focus on work wear
with a high standard of excellence. Notorious for creating an innovative overall garment for
railroad workers. A brand that stood the test of time. Have cotton production, denim mills &
apparel facilities across USA, Canada, and Europe. Global premium work wear brand with rich
heritage of developing rugged apparel for workers on and off the job.

14. TREND INSIGHTSAUGMENTED WORK WEAR
-Millenials are always
connected and desire apparel
that integrates with their
multiple technologies.
-Carhartt was founded with a
focus on workwear, but we are
no longer working on the
railroad but working with
technology.
-Focus on wearable
technology that augments our
work experience, desire for
pleasure & ease, encourages
networking, and supports an
active lifestyle.
-Organize multitasking in to a
singular interface
-Acknowledge growing desire
for authentic experience and
interactions