Opting for a less expensive alternative, consumers create their own wearable devices
Implications - As maker culture becomes a more prevalent topic, the option to DIY a product is becoming more popular, particularly in the wearable tech industry. Kits and materials for creating wearable technology are offering consumers a less expensive solution while also satiating a need for the latest innovations.
Trend Themes
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DIY Wearable Tech — As maker culture becomes more popular in the wearable tech industry, DIY wearable tech provides consumers a less expensive solution while also satiating their need for the latest innovations. Companies could explore opportunities to partner with DIY wearable kit suppliers and further develop DIY wearable technology by allowing customization options.
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Self-calibration Devices — Devices like the iHear hearing aid allow users to test and program the device themselves according to their preference, creating a more personalized and affordable option. Companies can develop self-calibration feature in their products for more accurate customization and a wider reach.
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Wearable Device Accessories — The Sony HDR-AS30V Action Cam comes with wearable accessories like the Universal Head Mount and Wrist Mount so that the camera can be worn hands-free, providing freedom to users to capture their experiences easily. Companies can explore innovative ways to develop wearable accessories that make their devices more user-friendly for capturing first-person point of view (POV) videos.
Industry Implications
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Wearable Technology — The DIY wearable tech trend, self-calibration devices and wearable device accessories all provide disruptive innovation opportunities for the wearable technology industry. Wearable tech companies need to foster creativity in accessibility and innovation to take advantage of these opportunities.
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Consumer Electronics — The DIY trend, self-calibration devices and innovative wearable accessories present new opportunities to explore the intersection of consumer electronics and personalized user-driven technologies. Electronics companies can dive deep into the DIY movement, and develop more personalized and affordable options that target consumers looking to have more control over their devices and their desired outcomes.
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Healthcare — The self-calibration trend presents new opportunities for companies in the healthcare industry to better understand the patients' needs. The healthcare providers can take advantage of wearable self-calibration devices to gain a more detailed understanding of their patients’ health and personalize their treatments, leading to better care and outcomes.
