Wacky wearables that stole the show at CES 2016

The Las Vegas tech show gave a glimpse of what to expect in wearable tech this year 

The wearables marketplace is transforming age-old fashions into high-tech operations with collaborations between sensors, low energy Bluetooth, cloud computing, flexible membranes et al. Here are some the promising gamechangers of 2016:

This watch can control the BB-8 droid

Sphero’s latest Star Wars wearable wristband will let you control the BB-8 with Force gestures. The Force band looks like a digital watch (without the screen) and is packed with sensors that can control BB-8’s movements. The band is not going to enter production until later this year.  

Now, control your shoe with a smartphone 
The Digitsole Smartshoe 01 footwear is definitely a first of its kind. It connects to a smartphone app for automatic shoe tightening, calorie tracking and foot heating, as well as adjusting shock absorption. The shoes, slated for retail in October, will also offer step counting and calorie tracking. It will retail for $199.

A smart wellness belt like never before

This year Samsung has outdone itself with a smart belt that analyses things like waistlines, eating habits and physical movement. The information collected by the WELT smart belt is analysed by an app that makes recommendations for better health. The WELT is a prototype as of now. It looks like a normal belt that’s loaded with sensors that pair up with your smartphone. 

Finally, X-ray-like vision is a reality

Intel’s Daqri smart helmet allows X-ray-like vision to effectively see through walls, pipes and other solid objects. Powered by Intel’s M7 chip and RealSense 3D camera, the helmet is specifically designed for industrial use. Touted as the most powerful augmented reality headset on the market now, the Daqri smart helmet will be available in the first quarter of 2016.

 

This one’s a personal emergency response device

GreatCall’s Lively Wearable can be worn on either the wristband or around the neck. It pairs with a smartphone via Bluetooth. It offers a mobile emergency response service via a one-touch button that connects senior citizens to trained healthcare agents in emergency situations. Scheduled to be available for purchase from the spring of 2016, the device will cost $99.99.

Smartphone with an inbuilt projector

The ASU Cast One smartwatch is definitely going to make you feel like James Bond. The Android Wear smartwatch is capable of 720p resolution, throws videos up to six and a half feet and can create a display as big as 60 inches. Although with a battery of just 700mAh, you might be better off sticking to cartoons than entire movies.