Category: Wearables

Engineers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a groundbreaking wearable device designed to monitor hydration levels continuously and noninvasively. As extreme heat becomes increasingly common, especially in regions like Texas, the device offers a promising solution to the ongoing challenge of managing dehydration in real time.

The newly developed sensor uses bioimpedance technology, which involves sending a low, safe electrical current through the skin to measure how easily the current travels through body tissues. Since water is a good conductor, the ease or resistance of the current provides insight into hydration status. The sensor is worn on the upper arm and wirelessly transmits data to a smartphone, allowing users to track their hydration levels throughout the day.

Researchers from São Paulo State University (UNESP) and the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) in Brazil have created a wearable device designed to enhance mobility for visually impaired individuals. The innovative system uses tactile feedback to alert users of nearby obstacles, promoting safer and more autonomous navigation.

Housed within a backpack, the device integrates a camera with an RGB depth sensor—mimicking human vision—and an image processing unit powered by a Jetson Nano minicomputer. This setup enables real-time object detection, image classification, segmentation, and speech processing. The research detailing the device, named NavWear, was published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.

Saying one thing while feeling another is a normal part of being human—but consistently hiding emotions can lead to serious psychological consequences like anxiety or panic attacks. To help healthcare providers better detect these hidden emotions, researchers led by a team at Penn State have developed a soft, stretchable, rechargeable sticker that can detect genuine emotional states by measuring physiological signals such as skin temperature, heart rate, and more—even when someone is putting on a brave face.

This innovative wearable patch was recently detailed in a study published in Nano Letters. It’s capable of simultaneously and accurately monitoring multiple emotional indicators in real time.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have long held the promise of hands-free control over digital devices using nothing but thought. But until now, most of these systems have been bulky, fragile, and functionally tethered to lab settings—especially because they struggle to maintain stable contact with the scalp when the user is in motion.

A new breakthrough, however, may soon change that.

Researchers have developed a tiny, wearable neural interface, just 0.04 inches across, that can attach between a user’s hair follicles and keep functioning during movement. Thanks to a series of microneedles that painlessly anchor the device to the scalp, the interface maintains a steady readout of brain activity, even as users walk, run, or go about their day.

Most haptic technologies today are limited to simple vibrations—barely scratching the surface of what human skin can perceive. Our skin is equipped with a sophisticated network of sensors that can detect pressure, stretching, vibration, and more. Now, engineers at Northwestern University have taken a major leap forward, developing a breakthrough technology that recreates the complexity of human touch with unprecedented precision.

Published recently in Science, this new device is compact, lightweight, and fully wireless. It adheres directly to the skin and applies force in any direction to mimic a wide range of tactile sensations. From pressure and vibration to twisting and sliding, it delivers realistic touch feedback that’s customizable, dynamic, and nuanced—something existing haptics have never achieved.

In a leap forward for haptic technology, engineers at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking wearable device that goes far beyond simple vibrations to deliver rich, multidirectional tactile sensations. Published in Science, their study, “Full freedom-of-motion actuators as advanced haptic interfaces,” introduces a compact, wireless actuator capable of simulating the nuanced feeling of touch—including pressure, vibration, stretching, sliding, and twisting—with remarkable precision.

Unlike current haptic devices that offer basic buzzing or poking feedback, this new actuator moves skin in any direction, creating fully programmable sensations. “Almost all haptic actuators really just poke at the skin,” said John A. Rogers, lead designer of the device. “But skin is receptive to much more sophisticated senses of touch. We wanted to create a device that could push, twist, and slide—not just poke.”

A team of engineers at Northwestern University has developed an innovative wearable device that stimulates the skin to produce a range of complex sensations, offering more immersive and realistic sensory experiences. This breakthrough in bioelectronics has significant implications for applications in gaming, virtual reality (VR), and even healthcare. In particular, the device could help individuals with visual impairments “feel” their surroundings or offer enhanced feedback for those with prosthetic limbs.

The study, recently published in Nature, builds on work first introduced in 2019 by Northwestern bioelectronics pioneer John A. Rogers. His previous research led to the development of “epidermal VR,” a skin-interfaced system that communicates touch via miniature vibrating actuators. This new device takes that concept to the next level by allowing multi-directional sensations, such as pressure, vibration, and even twisting motions.

A groundbreaking collaborative research initiative involving the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), KAIST, Ajou University, and Soongsil University has led to the development of next-generation multifunctional fibers, marking a significant leap forward in material science. These fibers, distinguished by their exceptional three-dimensional structure, promise to revolutionize applications in various fields, from wearable technology to soft robotics.

The innovative findings of this study, spearheaded by Professor Bonghoon Kim from DGIST’s Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, were recently featured as a cover article in Advanced Fiber Materials, a prestigious international journal in the realm of new materials. Alongside Professor Kim, key collaborators Professor Sangwook Kim (KAIST), Professor Janghwan Kim (Ajou University), and Professor Jiwoong Kim (Soongsil University) have successfully developed a sophisticated semiconductor fiber sensor that mimics human sensory functions. This breakthrough technology has immense potential in applications such as wearables, the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced electronics, and soft robotics.

WiRobotics, a South Korean company specializing in wearable robotics, is making waves at CES 2025 with its innovative exoskeleton, WIM (We Innovate Mobility), designed to revolutionize personal mobility and accessibility. With a focus on lightweight, flexible robotic solutions, WiRobotics aims to enhance the walking efficiency of its users while ensuring a high level of comfort and ease.

The WIM exoskeleton offers a range of modes tailored to a wide variety of user needs, from enhancing mobility for seniors to providing rehabilitation support for athletes. The device adapts seamlessly to its user, with settings that prioritize comfort, fitness, and support for daily activities.

Florida’s IHMC Robotics Lab has successfully completed real-world tests of its cutting-edge exoskeleton suit, Eva, drawing comparisons to the advanced technology seen in the movie Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise. In a groundbreaking step toward practical application, the team took Eva outside of the lab for a test run, offering a glimpse into what the future of wearable robotic systems might look like.

The test, which took place in real-world conditions, demonstrated Eva‘s ability to perform outside the controlled environment of a lab, marking a significant milestone in the development of exoskeletons designed for field deployment. The wearable exoskeleton is designed to assist individuals working in hazardous environments, helping to offload the weight of heavy personal protective equipment (PPE) and reduce the physical strain associated with such demanding roles.

A research team at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) has created a groundbreaking wearable device capable of harvesting electrical energy from body movements. This innovative three-dimensional stretchable piezoelectric energy harvester can be worn directly on the skin or clothing, converting mechanical energy from joint movements into electricity to power electronic devices.

Energy harvesters typically fall into two categories: those utilizing the Triboelectric effect and those relying on the Piezoelectric effect. The Triboelectric effect occurs when certain materials become electrically charged through friction, while the Piezoelectric effect generates electrical charge when mechanical stress is applied. The DGIST device takes advantage of the Piezoelectric effect, harvesting energy from everyday physical activities such as walking or joint movements.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have unveiled a groundbreaking wearable ultrasound patch designed for continuous, noninvasive blood pressure monitoring. This innovative device is the first of its kind to undergo extensive clinical validation on over 100 patients, offering a new and potentially transformative method for tracking cardiovascular health both in clinical settings and at home. The results of the study were recently published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Traditional blood pressure measurements, such as those taken with a cuff, typically provide only one-time readings, which can miss important trends and fluctuations. In contrast, the UCSD-developed wearable patch continuously monitors blood pressure and provides real-time waveform data, offering detailed insights into changes and trends over time. According to Sai Zhou, co-first author of the study and recent Ph.D. graduate from the UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering, this continuous data stream allows for better monitoring of cardiovascular health.