Surprisingly often, technology first developed for medical use, ends up reshaping the consumer market. As I noted in my dissertation, one of the earliest examples of this crossover of SWT with medical devices was the pacemaker; fundamentally medical, deeply functional, implanted, yet theoretically wearable.
Since then, sensors designed to monitor vital signs, track motion, support rehabilitation, or analyse neurological activity have steadily converged as they become smaller, cheaper, and easier to integrate. What began as clinical tools for diagnosis and recovery has been repurposed by consumer brands for fitness tracking, stress monitoring, sleep optimisation, and everyday health insights.
This shift has not only broadened access to wellbeing data, but has also fuelled a new wave of fashion-forward wearables (smart wearable technology [SWTs]) where medical-grade innovation quietly powers lifestyle design. What once felt like “predicting the future” in design. has become more about creating conditions for serendipity. This mimics the concept central to Black Swan theory.
A notable example is Hexoskin;
Originally designed for astronauts, Hexoskin is a smart shirt equipped with sensors that track heart rate, HRV, breathing, movement, and overall activity. The data streams to a companion app in real time, offering detailed analysis that supports everything from everyday wellbeing to high-performance training. Comfortable, durable, and fully machine-washable, it enables long-term,