Mass market adoption for wearable technologies is underway in the US, according to global technology research firm, ON World.
The company has recently completed survey with more than 1,000 U.S. adult consumers to found that by next year 19% of Americans will own a wearable technology product such as smart watch, activity tracker or smart glasses.
Unsurprisingly, a younger demographic influence is leading the way for mass market adoption with over 30% of respondents aged 18 to 34 already owning a wearable technology product or planning to get one within the next 12 months.
Smart watches are the most popular wearable product category followed by activity trackers, smart glasses, heart rate monitors and smart clothing.Although today’s wearable technology consumers tend to have higher incomes, respondents at all income levels are current wearable technology adopters or plan to be by 2015. However, males are more likely than females to have a wearable technology product or plan to purchase one within the next year.
The majority of respondents will use their wearable technology device for health, fitness and communications. For respondents aged 18 to 34, 6 in 10 are likely to use a wearable technology product for health or fitness.
Smart watches are the most popular wearable product category followed by activity trackers, smart glasses, heart rate monitors and smart clothing. Respondents aged 18 to 34 are nearly two times more likely to purchase a smart watch compared with older respondents. On the other hand, respondents aged 25 to 34 are two times more likely to purchase an activity tracker compared with 18 to 25 year olds.
Almost three quarters of the respondents believe wearable technology will have a positive impact on industries such as health and wellness, sports and fitness, safety and security, home automation and energy management. A quarter of those aged 18 to 34 believe that wearable technology will have a positive impact on home automation and even more believe wearables will positively influence their safety and security.
The biggest concerns about wearable technology are costs as well as privacy and security followed by radio wave radiation, ease of use and battery lifetime.