book

The Ultimate Guide to Informed Wearable Technology

Name: The Ultimate Guide to Informed Wearable Technology
Author: Christine Farion
ISBN: 9781803230597

by Christine Farion

October 2022

Intermediate to advanced

526 pages

14h 46m

English

Packt Publishing

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The Ultimate Guide to Informed Wearable Technology
ContributorsAbout the authorAbout the reviewers
Preface
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookDownload the example code filesDownload the color imagesConventions usedGet in touchShare Your ThoughtsDownload a free PDF copy of this book
Part 1:Getting Started with Wearable Technology and Simple Circuits
Chapter 1: Introduction to the World of Wearables
Wearables definitionWhen were wearables created? Informed wearablesOther advancesCurrent work in the fieldElectronic textilesUses for electronic textilesTerminology, applications, and constraintsTerminologyApplications ConstraintsExciting ideas, concepts, and projects to motivateExtension of the bodyWhat does the research tell us? Using research methods to acquire knowledgeCultural and ethical considerationsConsiderations when designing wearable technologyEthical considerations in research and testingSummaryReferencesReview questions
Chapter 2: Understanding and Building Electronic Sewable Circuits
Technical requirementsUnderstanding electricityWhat is a circuit?Activity 2.1 – creating a simple circuitUsing a multimeterResistanceVoltageCurrent – continuity/conductivity testsElectronic circuitsSeriesParallel What else can be in series or parallel?Activity 2.2 – using crocodile clips to create a circuitActivity 2.3 – creating a circuit using a breadboardSoft circuits LEDsConductive threadsConductive fabricsActivity 2.4 – sewing with conductive thread and LEDsActivity 2.5 – sewing a creative circuitSwitches and buttonsExample switches and buttonsOther ways to use switches and buttonsActivity 2.6 – making your own switchesSummaryReview questions and exercises
Chapter 3: Exploring e-textile Toolkits: LilyPad, Flora, Circuit Playground, and More
Technical requirements LilyPad e-textilesSimple sewablePre-programmedProgrammableActivity 3.1 – twinkling circuitsUnderstanding Flora, Gemma, and Circuit PlaygroundFlora, Flora sensors, and snapsGemmaCircuit Playground boardsOther systemsComparisons and observationsActivity 3.2 – choosing your boardSoftware setup and resourcesInstalling the Arduino IDEArduino essential stepsActivity 3.3 – Hello Circuit PlaygroundTroubleshooting SummaryReview questions
Chapter 4: Implementing Arduino Code Using Gemma M0 and Circuit Playground
Technical requirements Prototyping accelerometer and flex circuitsActivity 4.1 – Hello_Accelerometer Activity 4.2 – Hello NeoPixelsUnderstanding flex sensorsActivity 4.3 – using a multimeter to read our flex sensorResearch and innovationActivity 4.4 – making a flex sensorActivity 4.5 – connecting your circuit – an LED reaction to flexingActivity 4.6 – hooking up the Gemma M0 board with a flex sensor and servo motorActivity 4.7 – using Serial MonitorTroubleshootingThe Arduino IDEFunctionsVariablesOtherSummaryFurther readingReview questions and exercises
Part 2:Creating Sewable Circuits That Sense and React Using Arduino and ESP32
Chapter 5: Working with Sensors: All About Inputs!
Technical requirements Sensors for listeningDistance and movement Force, flex, and stretchEnvironmental sensorsCommunication and other inputs to tryOther things to considerActivity 5.1 – Distance and movementUsing an ultrasonic distance sensorActivity 5.2 – Using a tilt, shock, or knock sensorActivity 5.3 – Force, flex, and stretchActivity 5.4 – Environmental sensorsExamples of sensors used in the field of wearables. Activity 5.5 – Choosing sensorsUsing librariesHow do we use a library? Activity 5.6 – installing a library – UV sensorUnderstanding the I2C and SPI protocols What is I2C? Using conductive materials as sensorsActivity 5.7 – Sound and touchActivity 5.8 – Using alternative sensorsSummaryReview questions
Chapter 6: Exploring Reactions Through Outputs
Technical requirements About action – outputs and responsesVisual – light, color, and visionDisplay screensActivity 6.1 – learning about NeoPixels – a Hand HEX systemPutting it all togetherActivity 6.2 – sewing EL wireAuditory – sound, tone, and audioActivity 6.3 – connecting and using soundActivity 6.4 – using the Circuit Playground’s onboard soundActivity 6.5 – Touch Together – a socially playable instrumentHaptic – actuators, motion, motors, and vibrationDC motors, vibration, and fan (axial)Servos – 180, 360, and continual rotationLinear actuatorsOverviewActivity 6.6 – haptic feedback with a UV sensorActivity 6.7 – using temperature and motionSummaryReferencesReview questions

Chapter 7: Moving Forward with Circuit Design Using ESP32
Technical requirements Understanding microcontroller boardsTaking a closer look at the ESP32Activity 7.1 – Programming the ESP32, libraries, and tweaks for ArduinoActivity 7.2 – Hello World, does it blink?Connecting to Wi-FiActivity 7.3 – Let’s get connectedCreating a map for far away friends and family: for mental health and wellbeingActivity 7.4 – Making your maps using symbols that work for youActivity 7.5 – Touch me! Building your touch padsActivity 7.6 – Adding an OLED for displaying informationUsing an Application Programming Interface (API) for live dataActivity 7.7 – Connecting to an APIActivity 7.8 – Connecting all the partsExamples of design and innovation for wellness purposesOne last tip – a dynamic SSID and passwordSummaryReferences and further readingReview questions
Part 3:Learning to Prototype, Build, and Wear a Hyper-Body System
Chapter 8: Learning How to Prototype and Make Electronics Wearable
Technical requirementsWhat do prototypes prototype? – the Houde and Hill modelActivity 8.1 – quick and dirtyActivity 8.2 – rapid prototyping with foamboardActivity 8.3 – rapid prototyping – adding componentsBreadboard to body – how to make wearables usableComfort, usability, and style universeActivity 8.4 – how does a domain affect the wearable?Looking at implicit human computer contextMaterials and layout considerationsActivity 8.5 – understanding fabricsActivity 8.6 – adding strength with interfacingActivity 8.7 – exploring ways to connect componentsActivity 8.6 – hunting for materialsSummaryReferencesReview questions
Chapter 9: Designing and Prototyping Your Own Hyper-Body System
Technical requirementsWhat is a hyper-body system?How to design your hyper-body system – choosing materials, components, and purposeUnderstanding the importance of planningActivity 9.1 – Project Planning ChecklistUse it or do something elseBuilding up your prototype – function by functionOur project build – sending a moodAbout the QT Py ESP32-S2Activity 9.2 – Making a connection (NeoPixels to the QT Py)Activity 9.3 – Adding the warmth of a heating padConnecting the QT Py to the internetActivity 9.4 – Getting connected to an IoT serviceActivity 9.5 – Coding our ESP32 to access the IoT connectionWhat’s the code doing?Activity 9.6 – Putting it all togetherTroubleshootingSummaryReferencesReview questions
Chapter 10: Soldering and Sewing to Complete Your Project
Technical requirementsSolderingItems used for solderingActivity 10.1 – Resistor practiceActivity 10.2 – Soldering an LED, resistor, and wiresActivity 10.3 – Other activitiesWhat to look for when you’re solderingSewingSample items used for sewingPutting your wearable togetherActivity 10.4 – Sewing a pocket for the heat padActivity 10.5 – Soldering the QT Py ESP32-S2Activity 10.6 – Adding powerActivity 10.7 – Sewing the Adafruit ESP32-S2 QT Py into your garmentSummaryReview questions
Part 4:Getting the Taste of Designing Your Own Culture-Driven Wearable and Beyond
Chapter 11: Innovating, with a Human-Centered Design Process
Technical requirementsGetting to know the problemScopingActivity 11.1 – Let’s do desk research! Engagement – Stakeholder mapping and speaking with peopleRevisiting ethicsAsking better questionsFinding experts, stakeholders, and peopleActivity 11.2 – Stakeholder mappingInclusive intention – Universal design and accessibilityEngagement toolsActivity 11.3 – Engagement toolsGaps – What’s in the field and context researchActivity 11.4 – Requirements planningHuman-centered designCo-design and participatory designSense-makingPrototype, test, iterateSummaryReferencesReview questions
Chapter 12: Designing for Forgetfulness: A Case Study of Message Bag
Technical requirementsFollowing a Design Innovation processGaps – what’s in the field and the context of research Requirements planningEngagement and insightsCreating your prototypeActivity 12.1 – Planning and first stepsActivity 12.2 – Soldering headers on componentsActivity 12.3 – Breadboard the circuitActivity 12.4 – Checking the board and blink sketchActivity 12.5 – The code to test the RFID readerActivity 12.6 – The code for the NeoPixels and QT Py SAMDActivity 12.7 – Code for Message Bag’s RFID and NeoPixel functionalityActivity 12.8 – Adding the NeoPixels and RFID code to scan tagsTesting your prototypeThe future of Message BagSummaryReferencesReview questions
Chapter 13: Implementing the Best Solutions for Creating Your Own Wearable
Technical requirementsA template for designActivity 13.1 – Creating the road map for your wearable ProjectUpcycling your own Message BagActivity 13.2 – Iterations on Message Bag for communicationActivity 13.3 – Storing variables in non-volatile memoryActivity 13.4 – Integrating your circuitSoldering the components for placementUpgrades for the ambitious using IoTModifying the prototype with the QT Py ESP32-S2Activity 13.5 – Using EEPROM.h for memory accessActivity 13.6 – Connecting with Wi-Fi to an IoT serviceActivity 13.7 – Iterations to the IoT connectionUse it or do something elseActivity 13.8 – The importance of using your wearable and observing what’s around youSummaryReferencesReview questions
Chapter 14: Delving into Best Practices and the Future of Wearable Technology
Technical requirementsBest practicesA few handy tipsAdditional techniquesTaking your prototypes furtherPower considerationsHow to troubleshootIssues with the QT Py ESP32-S2 boardThe Arduino IDEDocumentationWhat’s in the future?MaterialsThe bodyEnvironmentsSummaryReferencesReview questions
Appendix: Answers and Additional Information
Useful linksSuppliersUS-based suppliersUK- and Europe-based suppliersAnswers to chapter questionsChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14
Index
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Overview

This guide dives deep into wearable technology and electronic circuits, offering a hands-on learning experience. By utilizing Arduino systems along with tools such as Gemma and ESP32, you'll gain practical skills in designing, sewing, and programming wearables. Ideal for creative engineers and hobbyists, this book will equip you to create interactive prototypes with a purpose.

What this Book will help me do

Create sewable electronic circuits using conductive materials and microcontrollers.
Integrate sensors and outputs for interactive wearable functionality.
Construct projects using ESP32 for advanced IoT-enabled wearables.
Design and prototype wearables with a user-focused innovation approach.
Master soldering and sewing techniques for crafting durable wearable devices.

Author(s)

Christine Farion is a seasoned engineer and author specializing in wearable technology and electronic design. With extensive practical experience in Arduino-based projects, Christine translates her technical expertise into easy-to-approach methodologies. Her work embodies a passion for empowering others to innovate in the realm of interactive wearables.

Who is it for?

This book is tailored for engineers, designers, makers, and DIY enthusiasts interested in wearable tech. Beginners with some exposure to Arduino will find it perfectly suited for advancing their skills. Facilitators, from educators to researchers, in technology and design fields can also gain valuable insights. Ideal for those seeking practical application in electronics and e-textiles.

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