Feel the difference: how wearable tech will take video gaming to a whole new level

Wearables such as wristbands and earbuds will soon double up as control devices for the fast-growing virtual reality (VR) and biometric gaming market as the technology becomes more accurate at recording data, according to industry observers.

“For virtual reality, you need sensors to detect whether the user is standing or squatting, and to control input,” says Li Zhifei, chief executive of Chinese start-up Mobvoi, which produces China’s most popular Android-based smartwatch, Ticwatch. “A wearable device such as a ring would easily achieve that.”

Li says devices worn on the hands, such as rings and smartwatches, would be able to track user movements and interact with virtual reality interfaces.

“Smartwatches have potential because of the complex interactions and rich user experiences,” he adds.

This potential is not lost on video game developers, some of whom have already created titles that take advantage of this technology.

Steven LeBoeuf, president of US-based biometrics technology company Valencell, says wearable technology is becoming increasingly accurate at recording data such as heart rate and calories burned. Valencell’s biometric sensors are medically accurate, according to the company.