How Wearable Technology Enhances Military Sensors: 5 Key Applications

Wearable devices that support the army, such as biometric monitors and plastic heaters, offer the potential to greatly assist our servicemen and women on the field. Real-time biometric monitors can assist decision-makers on the field, while flexible printed heaters can improve the recovery time from certain wounds.

Conductive ink screen printing can make these devices an integral part of a soldiers’ outfit and add very little to the weight. Continue reading for additional potential uses of wearable devices for arms personnel.

• Printed Electric Heaters in Military Apparel.

Add a printed heater to your gloves, trousers, jackets, gloves, and boots to stay warm even in extreme cold. Printed heaters can be sewn into or heat transferred onto virtually any fabric and utilize conductive silver and carbon inks.

The main advantages of printed heaters are comfort and safety. Unlike wired heaters, printed PTC heaters do not have any wires which makes them much more comfortable.

• Printed Biometric Sensors for Military Wear.

As a result of Recorder’s patented technology, biometric sensors are printed onto a flexible film which can be integrated into the fabric of a garment. Biometric sensors can detect EKG, ECG, EEG, and more.

Like the the previously mentioned sensors, the main features of biometric sensors allow for remote observation of essential patient data. This also applies to military personnel. Monitoring Wearable technology can be used for soldiers during combat. It can provide data on heart and respiratory rates. They even offer ways to remotely access crucial information, like body temperature, and this can prove to be vital when members of the armed forces are in the line of duty.

As per GMI Research, the Military Sensor Market is expected to reach USD 14.7 billion in 2029

• Tracking Devices

On the DOD’s website, one of the profiles considers a monitoring system designed for the Navy. It is akin to radio frequency identification. Such tags are often used in the domain of retail for inventory control.

The use of printed antennas for the defense industry would have each tag attached to an inventory item, person, or some other tagged product. The issue of tag security is of paramount importance for the military. It can be programmed to either sound an alarm if it detects a tagged device leaving a tagged room, or if it enters a tagged zone.

• Speedy Recovery Time

In the military domain, the less advanced biometric sensors are not the only assets in the field of medicine. The application of advanced printed technologies in the device that uses the principle of heated bandage is a clear case. The purpose of the device is to accelerate the recovery process under adverse conditions. The heat can also relieve muscle tension to facilitate movement, thereby alleviating pain.

The use of electronic stimulation is one of the creative approaches that can be extended to a military context aimed at speeding up recovery during an active rehabilitation phase.

Electronic stimulation, also known as e-stim, is a unique type of sensor that has been printed. E-stim sensors can be embedded in therapeutic bandages or compression garments to reduce rehabilitation times. The sensor stimulates muscle contraction by using electrical impulses. This relaxation of the muscles post injury is painless and quicker compared to the absence of muscle stimulation. Moreover, E-Stim E-Stim can also assist with training, supporting recruits or injured soldiers to rapidly gain muscle mass.

• Performance Monitoring

Another aspect of wearables technology in the military is monitoring the performance of soldiers. Clothing integrated with biometric sensors is able to track the performance of users. One effective method of assessing the physical exertion of a user is monitoring the pulmonary and cardiac rates.