If you're new here – hello! We're Expand Reality, and we specialise in industrial wearables like augmented reality headsets and smart glasses.

So, as you might expect, we've put a lot of thought into how wearable devices can help businesses save time, improve productivity and collaborate more effectively.

But our extended reality (XR) devices are just one slice of a very exciting pie. There's a whole world of wearables out there, and it's a world where business is booming.

And we mean booming. One look at the figures will tell you – wearables are like technological TNT.

According to a study by Research and Markets, the global technology market is set to grow to $118.16 billion over the next few years, enjoying a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8% between 2021 and 2028.

But what types of wearable devices are driving this trend?

Let's look at five of the most popular, across consumer and industrial markets.

1. Smartwatches

No doubt you've heard of smartwatches already. When Apple announced its Apple Watch in 2014, journalists jumped into action and the world went wild.

We've seen similarly attention-grabbing devices from – among others – Samsung, Qualcomm and Microsoft. (All of whom actually beat Apple to market, but that's a story for another post…)

The sector shows no sign of slowing down, either. One study forecasted a healthy CAGR of 19.6% between 2020 and 2027.

Why are smartwatches so popular? We reckon it's because they're beautifully simple – despite being built on some seriously sophisticated technology.

Smartwatches promise a raft of features that consumers are already familiar with. After all, they're basically smartphones that you can wear on your wrist.

Now wrap those features in a familiar form factor – the age-old wristwatch – and you have a recipe for success.

2. Fitness trackers

Fitness trackers were among the first wearables to hit it big with consumers. One of the most popular devices, the FitBit, was launched way back in 2009 – a whole six years before the Apple Watch.

Early devices were simple, by modern standards. They could more or less do two things: tell the time and count your steps.

Since then, though, we've seen huge advances. Current-gen fitness trackers act like 24-hour personal trainers and health advisors, able to monitor your heart rate, sleep quality and even stress levels.

Smartwatches have started to incorporate health-tracking features too. Samsung's Galaxy Watch4, for instance, can track your weight, BMI and more.

Despite this technological convergence, dedicated fitness trackers have enjoyed steady demand. Hardly surprising, considering that outdoor exercise is experiencing a huge boom in popularity.

What might be surprising, though, is that wearable technology is seeing widespread adoption in serious healthcare circles too.

Take smart patches, for example. Used in hospitals and other medical environments, these devices attach to patients' skin, where they can monitor vital metrics and even deliver medications.

Very cool.

3. Smart clothing

Smart clothing is yet to truly resonate with the public. But that hasn't stopped manufacturers from coming up with some impressively innovative ideas.

One of our favourites is Google's Project Jacquard. This technology allows your clothing to interact with your smartphone in all sorts of interesting ways.

Levi's worked with Google to weave the tech into its Commuter Trucker Jacket. Slip on this souped-up bit of denim, and you can skip songs or accept calls by swiping at the cuff. Wow.

Then there's Spinali Design's smart bikini, which includes a removable UV sensor. This sends notifications to your smartphone to tell you if you need to apply more sunscreen or take a break in the shade.

The real driver of growth, though, is expected to be fitness. One research firm estimated a CAGR of 26.2% for the smart clothing market between 2019 and 2024, spurred on by "growing awareness about the need for sports [and] fitness".

4. Augmented reality devices

If you haven't heard of augmented reality (AR), think of it like this: it's like virtual reality, but the virtual elements seem to exist in real-world environments.

For instance, you can see and interact with a virtual map on a real table, or conduct meetings at home where remote colleagues are represented by 3D avatars.

If you think this sounds like a novelty, think again. While AR brands initially targeted curious consumers, they soon realised that the tech had more to offer the world of business.

AR headsets like the Magic Leap 1 and Microsoft's HoloLens 2 are transforming training delivery, reducing error rates in manufacturing and even helping surgeons to prepare for complex operations.

The technology has already been adopted by the likes of Boeing, Airbus and BP. Smaller businesses are jumping on board too, with 40% of SMEs reporting that they use AR or VR to improve training outcomes.

And it's only getting bigger from here, with one forecast predicting a massive 40.9% CAGR between 2022 and 2030.

Hooray for that.

5. Assisted reality devices

On the surface, assisted reality (aR) devices seem quite similar to augmented reality devices. Both usually take the form of headsets or glasses, have screens and cameras, and are predominantly used in business.

However, there's one big change that makes all the difference. While augmented reality devices are designed to provide some level of immersion in a semi-virtual world, aR devices avoid immersion at all costs.

Just like satnavs, aR headsets are designed to be there when you need them and invisible when you don't. This makes them ideal for frontline work, where safety and situational awareness are key.

Now, we bet you're thinking, "but what can they do?"

Simple. They can do everything a high-end tablet can do. After all, they're basically super-strong wearable tablets, with front-facing cameras and small, distraction-free screens.

Equipped with an aR device, a member of staff can access important documentation, take photographs, or dial into a video meeting and receive expert assistance from a remote specialist.

And they can do all this 100% hands free, right there in the field.

Sounds useful, doesn't it? It's little wonder that brands like Ørsted and Soletanche Bachy are already using the tech. Plus, the market is expected to grow exponentially in the coming few years.

80% of the world's workforce is classified as "deskless", and we're seeing an ever-increasing demand for seamless communication and collaboration. It's only a matter of time before assisted reality is everywhere.

Thanks for reading! Want to learn more about what our technology can do for your business? Explore some exciting XR use cases here.