It's not What you Wear,it's How you Wear it: Human Factors of Wearable Computers

Abstract

The DERA Centre for Human Sciences is involved with the development of Future Infantry Systems Technology (FIST), producing a wearable computing system for future infantry applications. In addition, the in-Field Computer (iFC) research group (part of the Advanced VR Research Centre) at Loughborough University are also conducting work in this area. In order to bring both these groups together a Technical Workshop was run, in which representatives responsible for the research, development, and procurement of FIST systems were able to address some of the underlying human factors issues. The exchange of ideas highlighted important issues for understanding the fundamental human factors underpinning the development and use of wearable systems technology. The findings not only provide a more coherent understanding of infantry systems for both research communities but also facilitate the development of wearable computing in other applications and the underlying philosophy of wearable computing, per se.