As the iPhone nears its 15th anniversary, the future of consumer behavior is shifting towards wearable technologies. Modem, in collaboration with Studio Bjørn Ibsen, envisions this future through ‘Patented Futures,’ interpreting patent filings from tech companies into designs that reflect societal changes. Influenced by narratives of cyborgs and augmented realities, the article explores how wearables will integrate into daily life, affecting social interactions and personal identities. The success of devices like Apple AirPods illustrates a seamless integration of technology into our routines. While the legacy of Google Glass reveals challenges in acceptance, future wearables are expected to blend aesthetics with functionality, easing anxiety around technology. Ultimately, these advancements will redefine our relationship with our bodies and the world, merging physical and digital realities in unprecedented ways.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergence of Wearable Technologies | Wearable tech is becoming a primary way to access innovations like AI and AR. | Shift from smartphone-centric technology to wearable devices for accessing digital innovations. | Wearable tech will dominate daily life, integrating seamlessly with our routines and identities. | The push for more intuitive and integrated tech that enhances human capabilities. | 5 |
| Cyborg Lifestyles | Society is increasingly blending physical and digital identities through technology. | Transition from individual identities to interconnected, technology-enhanced lifestyles. | Social interactions will evolve as digital identities and real-life personas merge. | The desire for deeper connections in a hyper-connected world. | 4 |
| Patented Future Designs | Tech corporations are filing patents for innovative wearable devices. | Movement towards a future defined by advanced wearable technologies. | New wearable devices will reshape how we interact with technology and each other. | Corporate investment in R&D to drive innovation in consumer tech. | 4 |
| Subtle and Tactile Wearables | Future wearables may prioritize aesthetics and comfort over high-tech appearances. | Shift from overtly technological designs to more subtle, user-friendly devices. | Wearables will be unobtrusive and integrated into daily life, enhancing rather than distracting. | Consumer demand for technology that fits seamlessly into their lives. | 4 |
| Social Acceptance of Surveillance | Increased comfort with technology being omnipresent in our lives. | Society moving from apprehension about surveillance to acceptance of it as a norm. | Surveillance technology will blend into daily life, raising ethical questions. | The normalization of technology in personal and public spaces. | 5 |
| Integration of AR and VR into Daily Life | Wearable tech is paving the way for AR and VR integration in everyday activities. | From separate virtual experiences to an integrated hybrid reality. | AR and VR will become commonplace, altering perceptions of reality and identity. | The desire to enhance experiences through immersive technology. | 5 |
| Fashion and Functionality in Wearables | The rise of wearable tech as a fashion statement alongside its practical uses. | Wearable tech evolving from utilitarian to fashionable items. | Wearables will blend seamlessly into fashion, enhancing personal style. | The intersection of technology and personal expression in consumer culture. | 3 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Invasion | The rise of wearable tech could lead to pervasive surveillance, with devices constantly capturing and analyzing our surroundings, potentially compromising personal privacy. | 5 |
| Social Dependency on Tech | As society becomes more dependent on wearable technologies, there may be adverse effects on social interactions and personal relationships. | 4 |
| Data Security Risks | With wearables monitoring health and personal data, the threat of data breaches and misuse of sensitive information becomes a significant concern. | 5 |
| Identity Distortion | The blending of online and physical identities through wearables may lead to confusion about personal identity and self-perception. | 4 |
| Health Concerns from Over-reliance | The reliance on wearable devices for health tracking may lead to unnecessary anxiety or misinterpretation of health data by users. | 3 |
| Cultural Resistance to Wearables | Societal hesitance towards integrating wearables, particularly those with AR, due to past failures like Google Glass, can hinder acceptance and innovation. | 4 |
| Ethical Implications of Augmented Reality | The introduction of AR wearables raises ethical concerns surrounding the manipulation of reality and the potential for misinformation. | 5 |
| Inequity in Access to Technology | As wearable technology advances, there may be disparities in who can access and benefit from these innovations, exacerbating social inequalities. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Integration of Wearable Tech | Wearable technology is becoming a seamless part of daily life, enhancing routines without being intrusive. | 5 |
| Cyborg Identities | The blending of physical and digital selves is creating new hybrid identities, particularly among younger generations. | 5 |
| Aesthetic Evolution of Tech | Future wearable devices will prioritize subtlety and aesthetics, focusing on comfort and familiarity rather than overt technology. | 4 |
| AR and Metaverse Interaction | The rise of augmented reality will allow for immersive experiences, merging real and virtual worlds in everyday life. | 5 |
| Collective Surveillance Acceptance | A societal shift towards accepting constant surveillance through wearable tech as a norm, enabled by AR functionalities. | 4 |
| Rethinking Technology’s Role | An ongoing process to redefine technology as a non-invasive, supportive presence in daily life rather than a dominant force. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Wearable Technologies | Innovative devices that integrate seamlessly into daily life, enhancing human capabilities and experiences. | 5 |
| Augmented Reality (AR) | Technologies that overlay digital information onto the real world, enhancing interaction and perception. | 5 |
| Smart Glasses | Eyewear integrated with advanced technology for augmented reality experiences and practical applications. | 4 |
| Health Monitoring Earbuds | Wireless earbuds equipped with health sensors to monitor vital signs like heart rate and body temperature. | 4 |
| AR Audio Systems | Audio systems that create spatial audio experiences based on user location and movement. | 4 |
| Motorized Footwear for AR | Footwear that allows users to explore virtual environments while maintaining a physical presence. | 3 |
| Smart Gloves | Gloves that enable users to interact with virtual objects, enhancing the experience of virtual reality. | 4 |
| Cyborg Lifestyles | Integrating technology into personal identity and daily life, blurring the lines between human and machine. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Wearable Technology Integration | The increasing presence of wearable tech in daily life, transforming consumer behavior beyond smartphones. | 5 |
| Cyborg Identity and Social Interaction | The blending of human and machine identities leading to new forms of social interaction and personal identity. | 5 |
| Augmented Reality and the Metaverse | The development of AR wearables that enhance our interaction with virtual environments and the merging of physical and digital realities. | 4 |
| Surveillance and Privacy Concerns | The rise of wearable technologies may lead to new forms of surveillance, impacting personal privacy and societal norms. | 5 |
| Aesthetic and Cultural Acceptance of Tech | The need for wearables to be aesthetically pleasing and culturally accepted to ensure widespread adoption. | 4 |
| Health Monitoring Through Wearables | Wearable devices capable of monitoring health metrics and their implications for personal health management. | 4 |
| The Evolution of Consumer Behavior | Shift in consumer preferences towards seamless, integrated tech in everyday life, as seen with products like AirPods. | 4 |
| Impact on Human-Technology Relationship | The changing relationship between humans and technology as wearables become more integrated into personal lives. | 5 |