Wearable Computers: A Human Factors Review

In this article, wearable computers are considered from the perspective of human factors. Three approaches to the development of this technology are presented: computers that can be worn, information appliances that can be worn, and computers as clothing. The implications for how people will wear and interact with computers in these forms are considered. In particular, in this article a discussion of forms of dialogue to demonstrate how wearable computers require fundamental revision of the way in which we consider human-computer interaction is presented. This article concludes with reports of work on human interaction with wearable computers, both in terms of task performance and physical effects of wearing technology.