If you’re into fitness at all, you’ve likely heard of activity trackers. According to research from the analyst firm Berg Insight, sales of smart glasses, smart watches and wearable fitness trackers reached 8.3 million units worldwide in 2012, up from 3.1 million devices in the previous year.
These handy gadgets can track and record such metrics as physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns and number of steps taken per day.
There’s a reason most of these products are made from plastic. Here are a few of the benefits:
- Durability: This material can really take a tumble. Its durable nature gives new meaning to the term “wearables.”
- Scratch resistance: There’s no need to hold back from exerting yourself for fear of beating up the device.
- Flexibility: Plastic can be bendable, which is ideal if you want to get your yoga on.
- Lightweight: You might even forget you’re wearing it!
- Resistant to water: Many wearables made with plastics are water resistant, and some can even be submerged in water. Just don’t take yours deep sea diving!
As wearable technology grows in popularity, plastics will likely be the go-to material for the factors mentioned above. You can thank plastic for making technology comfortable, practical, useful and reliable.