Embodiment of Wearable Technology: Qualitative Longitudinal Study.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Wearable Technology
• Prosthetics Research

Background:

• Wearable technologies are increasingly integrated into daily life, eliciting deep connections and being termed 'cognitive prostheses'.
• While physical prostheses have been extensively studied, the subjective experiences of embodying wearable technology remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively investigate if and how wearable technology can be embodied similarly to physical prostheses.
• To compare the phases of embodiment and psychological responses between wearables and limb prostheses.
• To determine if wearable embodiment follows cyclical or asymptotic patterns.

Main Methods:

• Adapted a limb prosthesis methodological framework for wearable technology.
• Conducted semistructured interviews with 12 participants over 9 months wearing fitness trackers.
• Employed a mixed deductive and inductive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Participants exhibited embodiment of wearables comparable to limb prostheses, including adjustment, wearability, awareness, and body extension.
• Identified themes of engagement/reengagement and device-to-person comparison.
• Observed a phenomenon where counterintuitive device feedback blurred self-perception, creating a dilemma between trusting the device or self.

Conclusions:

• Significant similarities exist between the embodiment of limb prostheses and wearables.
• Insights from physical prosthesis research can inform wearable technology design and vice versa.
• Future research should explore technology reliance, autonomy, and self-awareness in the context of conflicting device feedback and personal beliefs.