What factor defines the true breakthrough for modern ergonomic wearables regarding physical implementation?
Shrinking the power supply and processing unit to a point where wearing the device is less intrusive than the monitored task.
The ultimate success and definition of the modern ergonomic wearable hinge on successfully managing the physical constraints of carrying technology on the body. While the computational elements and ergonomic knowledge were necessary prerequisites, the true engineering breakthrough involved solving the power and processing problem. The invention is defined by the engineers who managed to miniaturize the necessary power supply and processing units to such an extent that the device itself becomes minimally intrusive. When the physical presence of the wearable is less burdensome than the task it is monitoring or assisting—achieved through this critical miniaturization coupled with human factors considerations—the category achieves its intended form.
