Wearable Sensors

Electronic devices worn on the body that collect data about movement, physiological signals, or environmental conditions. In accessibility contexts, wearable sensors include accelerometers, gyroscopes, and inertial measurement units (IMUs) embedded in clothing, shoes, watches, or body-mounted devices. They enable continuous health monitoring, gait analysis, fall detection, and activity tracking outside clinical settings. A key design consideration for wearable sensors in assistive technology is minimizing visibility and stigma — research shows that conspicuous medical devices can discourage adoption, so sensors are increasingly designed to be invisible when worn.