Designing wearable computing devices for improved comfort and user acceptance

Abstract

This study identified acceptable range of physical attributes (form factors, weight, volume and contact area) of wearable computing devices (WCD) on different body areas in relation to human factors, through human performance tests with 41participants. Findings of this study discovered that there is a different level of threshold to discomfort on each part of the body; forearm has the smallest estimated mean of acceptable maximum weight of WCD followed by shirt pocket and collar area. On the other hand, front waist and back waist, when placed on one side, showed significantly higher estimated means of acceptable maximum weight of WCD than any other areas. Similar data trend was found in acceptable maximum volume and contact area of WCD. Body movement and posture influence the users’ comfort, as the weight of WCD can cause unhealthy posture over time, and increased energy expenditure, which may cause orthopaedic problems and discomfort. Practitioner summary: This study discovered that in carrying wearable computing devices (WCD), there is a different level of threshold to discomfort on each part of the body, as evidenced by significantly different acceptable maximum weight, volume and contact area of WCD on different body part. Abbreviations: WCD: wearable computing devices.