Cognizant 20-20 Insights

Wearable Technology:
Automotives Next Digital Frontier
Wearables represent the latest potential shift in consumer technology,
with small, ubiquitous devices promising to have an impact similar to
smartphones on the automotive value chain. Great promise, coupled
with a lack of proven use cases, requires that companies proceed
cautiously yet ignore wearables at their peril.
Executive Summary
With rapid advancements in technology and a
reinforced emphasis on innovation and miniaturization, enterprises across industries are seeking
to further consumerize IT by shifting focus from
mobile phones and tablets, to wearable devices.
Enterprises also realize the benefits of integrating wearable technologies into key business
processes to introduce added operational efficiencies and create a better working environment.
Wearables are compact, smart, lightweight devices that typically offer ubiquitous connectivity and
can be worn somewhere on the users body. They
typically consist of one or more of three components: sensors, user interaction capabilities
(ranging from a screen or simple bell to a vibration
motor) and computing architecture. While in most
cases connectivity is enabled through Bluetooth
or Wi-Fi in conjunction with a smartphone, some
devices have built-in cellular connectivity. These
devices can collect, store and transmit data to
other devices or to a cloud infrastructure and
can easily pair with other devices, exchanging
data and sharing computing resources to deliver
a ubiquitous computing experience to the user.

cognizant 20-20 insights | june 2015

While wearables have become relatively common

in the consumer space as fitness trackers, or
smartwatches, pundits dont yet agree on
whether wearables will be a smartphone-like
game-changer in the enterprise space. Many
businesses are still developing use cases and
prototypes before fully embracing wearable
technology.
This white paper addresses the rapid growth of
wearables and their potential to radically change
the automotive Industry. We look at industry
examples in which wearables improve operational
efficiency and enhance the customer experience.
We also analyze the challenges that wearables
pose, and present actionable recommendations
on how enterprises can derive maximum value
through their usage.

Applying Design Thinking

In the consumer space, wearables have been
available for several years, and in some cases are
available as second- and third-generation products. Gartner, an IT analyst firm, places wearable
user interfaces at the peak of its Hype Cycle.1
According to IDC, wearables will transcend early

adopter status and will record a three-fold sales

jump in 2014, with an expected CAGR of 78.4% to
111.9 million units in 2018.2 In keeping with these
estimates, Amazon recently launched its first
wearables store, making wearables a product category for the mass market.
Technology industry heavyweights such as Google,
Intel and Facebook have launched an acquisition
spree, acquiring several wearables technology
companies. This provides these companies with
capabilities ranging from hardware and software,
to virtual reality and wearables-related analytics.3
In the consumer space, wearables have met with
mixed results. Fitness-oriented wearables like
Fitbit and Jawbone have received a warm market
reception, while Googles efforts around Google
Glass and Android Wear have met with consumer
adoption headwinds.4
The primary goal of wearables is to obtain and
deliver key information to people in real-time,
at the exact point that they need it. In addition,
wearables help achieve portability and human
integration, leaving the users hands free to work

on other tasks, while maintaining an ability to

deliver data from a complex computing back end
that might be hosted in an enterprise or public
cloud. As such, they give users access to massive
computing power while remaining mobile, and
enable them to interact with other devices using
gestures, vision and voice.
Wearables also enable the introduction of highly
connected technologies in traditionally prohibitive environments, which is why they pose
particular usage benefits to the auto industry. For
instance, consumers expect wearable technologies to advance decision-making while they are
driving a car by delivering an intuitive and interactive user experience without being a distraction.
Envision a scenario in which a drivers smartglasses can give him real-time traffic alerts and
prescribe the optimum route to a destination.
Or take a case where a quality assurance (QA)
worker in an automotive production facility can
use smartglasses to perform a hands-free visual
inspection of a vehicle, while inspection data is
automatically relayed to the facilitys quality man-

Taking Action from Inputs

How inputs from/to the human body
can stimulate action
Jenny is driving back home after a long,
tiring day at work. Her car connects to her
wearable device via Bluetooth to get
biometric data.
With this data, her stress level is determined
to be above normal.
The system responds to this by blocking
phone calls, turning down the radio volume,
and sending a call back message.

How external inputs can be used

to stimulate action
Jim is a salesperson in an automotive dealership.
He uses Google Glass cheat sheets to show off the
features of cars in the dealership.
He scans the barcode on the car using his Google Glass,
which displays the information for that vehicle model in
his line of vision.
Jim is able to wow the customers with his automotive
knowledge and effectively communicate the features,
technology and telematics in the car to them.

Figure 1
cognizant 20-20 insights

Wearables Can Simplify Business Processes along the Automotive Value Chain
Enablers

Nymi Band
Samsung Gear
Nissan Nismo
Motorola Moto360
Apple Watch
Pebble SmartWatch

Google Glass
Epson Moverio
Oculus Rift
VuzixGlass
Nod Smartring
Google Smart Contact Lens

Processes

Automakers
Training & development
Quality inspections
Collaboration &
decision support
Service & maintenance

Logistics Providers
Training & development
Simplified gate-in,
gate-out
Pre-delivery inspections
Collaboration & decision
support

Dealerships

Third-party Repair Shops

Real-time diagnostics
Virtual test drives
monitoring
Interactive product
Step-by-step instructions
manuals
of operating procedures
Customized in-store
Service & maintenance
experience
Improving salesperson efficiency
through cheat-sheets

Stakeholders

Automotive Customers
Real-time alerts
EV status monitoring
Remote access
Navigation
Driver vital health
monitoring &
telemedicine
Configuration of user
preferences

Figure 2

agement applications. These are just a couple

of scenarios among numerous possibilities that
wearable technology holds for this industry. (For
more insights on how wearables are poised to
impact business, read Google Glass: Insurances
Next Killer App.)

Thanks to the advent of rich telematics data and

wireless connectivity, cars are smarter today than
ever. As Figure 2 reveals, several interesting use
cases could emerge as wearables are connected
to a larger ecosystem of things, including the
car and driver themselves.

Wearables are set to be an important element in

the larger ecosystem of the Internet of Things
(IoT), in which the collective computing power of
all the interconnected elements can be harnessed
to aid data acquisition and decision-making.
Each wearable is instrumented to continuously exchange data with its surroundings, forming
a digital footprint that we call a Code Halo. 5
Although these devices on their own can simplify
business processes, their capabilities will be even
more compelling when their Code Halos intersect
with those of other connected elements within
the IoT context map. At a very high level, wearables can use data from the human body and the
external environment to stimulate action (see
Figure 1, previous page).

Increasing Process Effectiveness

cognizant 20-20 insights

Given how quickly wearables have moved into the

mainstream, as well as the distinctive benefits
they offer the automotive industry, several automakers and dealerships have rolled out specific
pilot programs and are building business cases to
drive widespread adoption. In the sections that
follow, we examine several ways in which wearables could be effectively deployed to transform
consumer and employee experiences in the automotive Industry.
Enhancing the Automotive Purchase Process
Wearable technologies such as Oculus Rift that
deliver an immersive virtual reality user experience enable consumers to test-drive a vehicle
without ever stepping foot inside it. Multiple auto

makers are implementing augmented reality

into their go-to-market strategies. Product manuals, for instance, are now virtualized, allowing car
shoppers or owners to simply hold their wearable
device over a certain area of the vehicle to receive
a virtual explanation
of
what it is and what
Automakers are
it does through video,
building prototypes text or animated graphfor Google Glass that ics. This will also allow
leverage the ability customers to scan rows
of vehicle inventory and
of eyeglass-style quickly understand the
wearables to deliver features and functional6
information directly ities of each.

into the wearers field

of vision.

In the same way, smartglasses could also help

salespeople at car dealerships work more effectively, as they would no
longer need to rely on a paper manual to show
off a cars key features. Through the use of smartglasses, they could highlight salient features by
citing information that is overlaid on the glass via
augmented reality. In fact, some dealerships now
have deployed pilot learning programs for their
salesforce, using smartglasses to train them.7

Automotive customers already conduct a large

amount of pre-purchase research online before
purchasing a car. This paves the way for a
whole new set of ways for consumer data from
mobile phones and wearables to be utilized
(with their permission) to enhance their in-store
experience. Potential applications range from
identifying customers and communicating their
vehicle preferences when they enter a dealership,
to guiding them to the exact model they viewed
online through highly localized navigation and a
series of directional messages to their wearable
device.
Applying this form of Code Halo thinking would
give dealerships insights into customers online
preferences, which they could use to further
integrate the online world where most consumers conduct their primary car buying research
with the physical world, where actual product interactions occur, and most purchases are
consummated.
Redefining the Driving Experience
Recently, several car manufacturers, technology and services companies have collaborated on
developing prototypes and concepts to explore

cognizant 20-20 insights

the potential of wearables enhancing the driving

experience.
Several automakers are collaborating with wearable manufacturers to develop apps that remotely
monitor and provide access to the vehicle using
smartwatch technology.8 Nissans Nismo smartwatch monitors metrics such as average speed,
fuel efficiency and even the drivers heart rate
to detect fatigue. Mercedes has collaborated
with smartwatch maker Pebble on an app that
provides real-time information on vehicle status.
Mercedes drivers can also use their smartwatch
to be alerted to real-time hazards.
BMW has developed smartwatch prototypes for
its i3 electric vehicle that allow users to check on
battery status, driving range and door lock status,
as well as receive notifications on the vehicles
service or inspection needs. BMW plans to make
this app available to Apple Watch users, as well.
Tesla offers a similar Apple Watch app, and has
even proposed that Watch will eventually activate self-driving features, allowing the driver to
summon the car from a parking space and have
it automatically drive to the wearers location.
Automakers are also building prototypes for
Google Glass that leverage the ability of eyeglassstyle wearables to deliver information directly into
the wearers field of vision. Hyundais next generation of products, starting with the 2015 Genesis,
will allow owners to connect with their vehicle
using wearable devices. Hyundais cloud-based
Blue Link platform makes features like remote
start and service information quickly accessible
through new devices like Google Glass.9
Mercedes was a pioneer in announcing integration
with Googles Glassware project in 2013, allowing
the drivers Google Glass to seamlessly exchange
information with the in-vehicle navigation and
telematics system. Routes and directions are
overlaid via smartglasses onto the road, negating the need to look at a GPS screen.10 Audi and
augmented reality company Metaio have also created a concept app that positions several built-in
operations procedures from the cars instruction
manual in the line of vision of the user,11 allowing
for an augmented reality user manual rather than
a traditional print or electronic version.
Similar applications of Glass exist in vehicle
manufacturing and service, with Glass providing augmented reality service, maintenance and
inspection information. Future enhancements

could even include integration with parts ordering and service billing applications, allowing a
service technician to diagnose a problem, order a
part from inventory and view installation instructions, all via his or her Google Glass.
OEMs and technology companies are not far
behind in these efforts. Harmans new ADAS
system analyzes real-time data from traffic cameras and alerts users to potential safety threats
to other drivers that may encounter the threat
via their smartglasses.12 DriveSafe has developed
a prototype that prevents drivers from dozing off
at the wheel by analyzing head and eyelid movements (using the built-in accelerometer in Google
Glass).13 Inrixs Google Glassware concept would
allow drivers wearing Glass to get automatic
and unobtrusive notifications of congestion or
incidents on the road ahead, with the option of
requesting an alternate route, with all interactions
performed through simple voice commands.14
Interestingly, Google ended sales of Glass to consumers in early 2015, choosing instead to focus
on software developers and commercial applications for the technology. While Glass was never
intended as more than a beta product, concerns
around privacy and social acceptability have
temporarily shelved widespread Glass adoption,

providing a note of caution for automakers as

they consider these technologies for widespread
consumer applications. Despite a shift away from
consumers, Glass development remains active in
the enterprise space, creating an interesting scenario in which a consumer-focused technology
has essentially been co-opted by commercial and
industrial users.
The Future of Driving
Wearables will likely transform the way we interact
with our cars, as driver and vehicle information
can be shared in previously unprecedented ways.
In addition to features such as remote access,
navigation, vehicle service and nonsafety applications, there are several possibilities that can
be explored from a health and safety standpoint.
Clearly, wearables add a new layer of safety to
automotive driving by extending the drivers ability to monitor vital health parameters and take
action in the case of an emergency (see Figure 3),
as well as providing notification and information
immediately and viscerally rather than relying on
warning lights or chimes.
The biometric information from the drivers Code
Halo can be combined with the on-board diagnostics data (OBD) of the vehicles Code Halo to
make driving a safer activity. For example, in a

Scenario for Drowsiness Detection

Jeff is driving back home after his night shift.
The built-in sensors accelerometer, gyroscope and
camera of his Google Glass detect his drowsiness.
The vehicle responds with voice and vibration alerts.
Despite the alerts, Jeff continues to drive.
The vehicle goes into the self-drive mode and
safely steers him to a safe zone.
The location-based service on his phone
directs him to the nearest coffee shop
for a break.

Jeff

Figure 3

cognizant 20-20 insights

precarious driving situation, phone calls can be

blocked and a direct voicemail/text can be sent
to the caller without disturbing the driver.
Additionally, an impaired or ill driver could be
detected, the vehicle safely stopped, and help
summoned before an accident occurs.
We have developed a prototype called Tasuke
(which means help
The possible benefits of in Japanese) that
demonstrates how
wearables for automotive biometric
informanufacturers and their mation from the
employees are even drivers Code Halo
could be combined
greater and much more with on-board diagimmediate, and they nostics data to
are not dependent on trigger action. For
instance, data on the
consumer adoption of a drivers heart rate
particular technology. from his smartwatch
can be combined
with information on the speed, acceleration and
maneuvering of the car and fed into an algorithm
to gauge the drivers stress level. If the stress
level seems high, soothing music can be played to
calm him or her down, or in extreme cases, more
immediate action can be triggered.
While eyeglass- and watch-style wearables are
currently the most common, a preferred form
factor of wearables has yet to be determined,
with manufacturers experimenting with smart
bands, contact lenses, rings, etc., each of which
may engender new possibilities. From an access
control standpoint, biometric data (using smart
bands such as Nymi) can be used to replace
current smart keys, storing a drivers vehicle
preferences, locking and unlocking the vehicle
using biometric data, and starting the vehicle.
In the longer term, there is a possibility that wearables will be replaced by embedded sensors in
the vehicle and human-implantable devices that
accomplish similar results. A combination of all
these devices could eventually reduce driver reliance on smartphones and dashboard electronics,
with intelligent software determining the best
way to notify the driver of information, based
on driver preference and the criticality of that
information.

cognizant 20-20 insights

Process Optimization in the Production Facility

The possible benefits of wearables for automotive manufacturers and their employees are even
greater and much more immediate, and they
are not dependent on consumer adoption of a
particular technology. Wearables can increase
employee efficiency, improve training and development, enhance communication, reduce rework
and push informed decision-making to line
employees, bringing about greater efficiency and
transparency. Rapid adoption of this technology
has caught the imagination of several independent organizations. In fact, the European Union
is now co-funding a project called WearIT@
work, whose main objective is to investigate the
user and industry acceptance of wearables. The
project focuses on building business cases and
studying their tangible impact in association with
several manufacturing companies.15
For automotive manufacturers, there are immediate benefits for quality inspections, as well
as for training and development. For instance,
smartglasses (Epson Moverio, Oculus Rift, Vuzix,
Google Glass, etc.) can offer the wearer an
immersive experience and be tailored for various
operations and functions, such as playing context-aware instructional videos, live-streaming
service and installation procedures and accessing troubleshooting expertise. Smartglasses
could also be used to provide context-sensitive,
semi-autonomous training to personnel that can
even be delivered on-demand when an employee
encounters an unfamiliar situation or requires
assistance. Service and maintenance personnel
can use smartglasses to access procedures and
tips within or outside the factory.
A prototype implementation for training and
development was conducted as part of the
WearIT@work project in the Skoda production
facilities in the Czech Republic.16 Several other
companies are also working on use cases to
deploy wearables on the shop floor.17 Plex Systems
has developed a Google Glass prototype that can
analyze and deliver details of a machine on the
shop floor by just looking at it. Plexs proof of
concept allows an employee to view the status of
the machine, add or remove inventory and see
other relevant information. In the OEM space,
large manufacturers like General Motors have
tested several business cases for using Google
Glass on the factory floor with approximately 100
employees in a controlled environment.

Quick Take
WearIT@work in Action
As part of the WearIT@work project, two different
research activities (aimed at personnel training
and quality inspections) were conducted at the
Skoda production facility in the Czech Republic
to analyze the benefits of using wearable technology to support shop floor workers. Here are
snapshots of those experiments.
Personnel Training
Automotive manufacturing is a highly complex environment, with many moving parts and
employees who are on the move (e.g., maintenance, work at the assembly line, etc.). In such
environments, training requirements are high,
and specialized training is critical. Several field
studies were performed at the Skoda plant to
see how wearables could be deployed in such a
context.
The wearable prototype that was derived from
these field studies offers semi-autonomous training through mobile- and context-sensitive support
of trainees, who are provided with all the necessary (digital) information to successfully perform
production tasks. At the same time, tasks are

In the context of quality assurance, wearable

devices can improve the efficiency of quality
assurance personnel by providing quick access
to standard operating procedures and enabling
hands-free inspection, ultimately reducing the
margin of error, as inspections generally involve
mundane, repetitive and exhausting tasks. A
prototype was developed to enhance the visual
inspection and manual checking processes at the
Skoda plant.
The benefits of using wearables in the production
environment include:

Error prevention.
Faster and more efficient work.
Enhanced communication through improved
information-sharing.

cognizant 20-20 insights

tracked via mobile sensors worn on the trainees

body and on the car. The wearable system supports the trainees by detecting errors when tasks
are performed incorrectly and offering appropriate help and suggestions in real-time.
Visual Inspection & Manual Checking
The last step before a car is delivered to the dealership is visual inspection and manual checking
to detect misalignment of lights and bumpers,
bumps and scratches, spaces between the door
and car body, etc. Because workers repeat these
steps for long shifts, the tasks are prone to human
error due to fatigue and the repetitive nature of
the work. WearIT@work has implemented a prototype of a wearable computing solution to support
workersin the inspection process. After conducting a thorough study, wearable-based prototypes
were created and deployed that ensure complete fulfillment of verification procedures, allow
hands-free inspection, provide access to supporting information and enable collaboration among
workers and experts, allowing for a reduction in
missed quality issues.

Shortened training processes

Enhanced health and safety applications.
The aforementioned examples demonstrate how
wearables can introduce efficiencies to automotive manufacturing by providing workers with
easy access to context-sensitive, process-related
information, when and where it is required. Like
most current wearables applications, many of the
capabilities are not necessarily in the device itself,
but in defining a business problem and developing the supporting infrastructure to capture and
deliver information to a users wearable device.

Challenges of Wearables Adoption

Although the benefits of wearables are numerous and multi-faceted, a wide range of challenges
must be addressed before their complete potential is unlocked.

Device-level Challenges
Battery life is a key issue that limits the utility
and efficacy of wearables deployed in various
environments. Owing to its small form factor and
proximity to the body, battery capacity faces several physical constraints. The battery must be
small and long-lasting and should not overheat
when used in long durations. These limitations
constrain the display, communication and processing capabilities of the device, since all must
be balanced against a
demand
for power that
Organizations should
lasts through an averbuild a robust back-end age workday. Similarly,
cloud infrastructure the user experience and
with adequate security design of the apps used
these devices must
measures in place to deal with
be tailored to optimize
with such a magnitude battery usage, while
of data. accommodating nontraditional screen sizes
and interaction methods. Another option that
several device manufacturers are exploring is the
use of solar or kinetic (motion) energy, either as
a component supplementing the battery or as an
alternate source of power.
Data-level Challenges
With the advent of smart devices aided by high
levels of connectivity, large volumes of data are
associated with these devices. Organizations
should build a robust back-end cloud infrastructure with adequate security measures in place to
deal with such a magnitude of data. Traditional IT
approaches and integrations may not be able to
handle the volumes of data associated with wearables, and even if wearables are not currently on
a companys roadmap, investigating technologies
like cloud computing and API-style interfaces will
prepare the business for wearables and future
technologies.
Integration Challenges
Although individual devices have their own operating protocols, interoperability among different
devices in the IoT ecosystem is proving to be
a challenge because of the lack of common
standards, although several industry players
are attempting to define common standards or
middleware-type platforms that allow disparate
devices to intercommunicate.
Equipping a significant number of workers with
interconnected devices puts an additional strain
on IT infrastructure, both from a technical and
managerial perspective. If employees that once

cognizant 20-20 insights

carried a smartphone and laptop now carry an

additional half dozen devices, traditional methods
for managing IT resources become increasingly
untenable.
Current wearables also have very limited processing and storage capabilities, requiring much of
the processing and data that enable their functionality to be performed on another device. This
may put additional strain on internal IT resources, or necessitate increased use of cloud-based
resources to handle the device load.
Behavioral Challenges
Technology initiatives typically struggle to
gain acceptance among employees who dont
understand how the technology immediately
benefits them. It is, therefore, important that
organizations help employees understand how
the wearable device will help them perform more
effectively and efficiently, or make their Organizations must
job easier or more explicitly state that
pleasant. As employees become more data-sharing will occur
familiar with wear- through an opt-in
ables in the consumer mechanism only, and be
space, this equation
may change, mir- prepared to articulate
roring smartphone their policies and
adoption,
where controls around how
employees demand a
preferred device over consumer data is used in
a corporate alterna- a transparent and readily
tive. However, until understandable way.
this shift occurs, businesses should be prepared to build a compelling
case for wearables at the executive and end-user
levels.
Consumer privacy concerns also need to be managed, as these devices are typically always-on and
always-connected. Although consumers stand to
benefit from sharing data, there can be some
concern about the use of wearables, as many fear
misuse of their personal information. In order to
mitigate this concern, organizations must explicitly state that data-sharing will occur through
an opt-in mechanism only, and be prepared to
articulate their policies and controls around how
consumer data is used in a transparent and readily understandable way. Ten pages of legalese and
an I Agree button will not assuage increasingly
concerned consumers, many of whom have had
personal data stolen or misused in the past.

be tested with a limited wearables pilot.

These can also be used in typical scenarios
where users could benefit from instant information but are constrained by a prohibitive
environment. Use cases should also validate
the use of wearables vis--vis smartphones,
tablets, etc.

Another concern is information overload that

devices will emit too many unnecessary alerts or
an overwhelming number of notifications, causing them to be perceived as more of a nuisance
(or even a danger) than a productivity aid. A
recent TechCrunch review of the new Android
Wear smartwatch bemoaned the fact that the
device alerted users with every new text, e-mail
and calendar item. It ultimately became a distraction the very last thing a driver needs.18

>> Choose

the right device for the job. As

wearable devices have proliferated, so have
their capabilities, functionalities and form
factors. The onus is on the enterprise to analyze device capabilities and make the right
choice for the business case selected. For
example, devices like Oculus Rift and Epson
Moverio can be used for an immersive virtual reality experience, whereas a Google Glass
app can be used for overlaying information
on the line of vision. Organizations should
also consider connecting with device manufacturers to discuss their requirements and
collaborate on solution development.

Regulatory Challenges
The use of wearables in cars particularly eyeglass-style devices is highly controversial,19
and many governments have prohibited their
use for safety reasons; legislation banning eyewear exists in several U.S. states and in the UK.
However, recent cases have been dismissed on
the grounds that it could not be proved that the
device was switched on or that a distracting or
invasive application was being used.

>> Build

In our view, the device itself should not be banned,

but certain distracting use cases (such as watching videos) should not be available in certain
situations, like when operating a vehicle. Eyewear
that functions as a dashcam, displaying a blind
spot or emitting a collision safety alert, will contribute to safer driving, not deter it.

the right infrastructure. After the

business case and wearables for the job
have been selected, enterprises need to ensure the infrastructure is in place to enable
execution. The systems must be scalable, robust and secure, and should be able to store,
manage and analyze large amounts of data
collected from disparate sources in real-time.
Even if an organization decides not to move
forward with a wearables pilot or implementation, enterprises should anticipate the
data and infrastructure requirements and
work on an approach to manage them. Most
of these approaches can also support robust
mobile and tablet rollouts today, while preparing for the increased demands of wearables tomorrow.

Looking Ahead
We recommend the following steps for automotive companies seeking to integrate wearables
into their processes:

Step 1: Apply Design Thinking

>> Conduct envisioning workshops

with a
wide cross-section of employees. As wearables are an emerging technology with few
proven use cases, automakers should plan
to build a small working group that includes
factory employees, marketing executives,
production engineers and IT staff. Focus on
the intriguing capabilities of wearables, such
as ubiquitous connectivity and augmented
reality, and explore use cases where these
capabilities could create compelling benefits.
A few easy candidates should emerge from
processes that currently use smartphones
or tablets; however, avoid being constrained
solely to these scenarios.

Step 2: Pilot and Scale

>> Conduct a pilot project. A proof of concept

is needed to see how the idea performs before it is funded and implemented (as was
done with WearIT@work). A sample user
group should be selected to participate in
a pilot study, ideally including actual users,
managers and IT staff. The group will need
rudimentary training on the objective of the
study and should be observed in a controlled
environment.

>> Conduct process assessment and re-design

>> Scale

and engage stakeholders. The outcomes of the study should be analyzed, the
benefits quantified and a business case built
around the proposed project to drive widespread adoption. Adequate training and sup-

to build business cases for wearables.

With a handful of use cases identified, enterprises should assess the related processes
and ultimately identify a shortlist that can

cognizant 20-20 insights

port should be given to all stakeholders to

ensure acceptance. The idea is to start with
small-scale, limited implementations, and
iterate on a rapid and frequent scale, allowing for near-term successes and increasing
value in the long run.

Step 3: Enable Agility

>> Plan for iterative use

case refinement.
Periodic checkpoints should be established,
and feedback should be collected from users
and data produced by the platform. Periodic
technology and market scans should be performed for new wearable devices that better
fit the operational context.

>> Embrace a spirit of collaboration and partnership. Adoption of wearables should also
be driven by widening the partner network
and improving collaboration with various
stakeholders in the ecosystem, ranging from
device manufacturers and extending to the
developer community.

Wearables have immense potential to disrupt the

automotive industry by ushering in new possibilities. While these technologies remain unproven
in the enterprise and consumer markets, their
potential for differentiation and competitive
advantage provides a compelling case to innovate
in an industry where products are increasingly
perceived as similar. Even if wearables are not
immediately usable in an organization, planning
for the organizational and technical changes
required to support them will prepare the enterprise for rapid adoption as the technology
matures.

Note: All company names, trade names, trademarks, trade dress, designs/logos, copyrights,
images and products referenced in this white
paper are the property of their respective owners.
No company referenced in this white paper sponsored this white paper or the contents thereof.
Code Halo is a trademark of Cognizant
Technology Solutions.

Footnotes
1

Gartner Press Release, 2014 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies Maps the Journey to Digital Business,
Gartner, Aug. 11, 2014, http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2819918.

Supriyo Bose, Wearable Gadget Ads: Latest Fad or Virtual Reality? Zacks Research, July 11, 2014, http://
www.zacks.com/stock/news/139774/Wearable-Gadget-Ads-Latest-Fad-or-Virtual-Reality.

Duncan Geere, Mergers and Acquisitions: The Biggest Wearable Tech Deals of 2014, Wareable, Dec. 23,
2014, http://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/mergers-acquisitions-the-biggest-wearables-deals-of-2014.

Laurenti de Medici, Wearable Devices Are Achieving Mass Market Penetration In the United States, WT
Vox, Aug. 27, 2014, https://wtvox.com/2014/08/wearable-devices-achieving-mass-market-penetrationunited-states/.

For more on Code Halos, read our book Code Halos: How the Digital Lives of People, Things, and
Organizations are Changing the Rules of Business, by Malcolm Frank, Paul Roehrig and Ben Pring, published by John Wiley & Sons, 2014.

Wearable Tech Accelerates into the Auto Industry, AutoMotion, http://www.automotiontv.com/

automotion-insights-volume-1/.

Shehryar Khan and Evangeline Marzec, Wearables Tech Trends 2014, Deloitte University Press, Feb. 21,
2014, http://dupress.com/articles/2014-tech-trends-wearables/.

Florian Schumacher, Wearables in the Automotive Industry, Wearable Technologies (WT), May 16, 2014,
http://www.wearable-technologies.com/2014/05/wearables-in-the-car/.

Hyundai Explores Wearable Technology with All-New Genesis, Hyundai, Jan. 2, 2014, http://www.hyundainews.com/us/en-us/Media/PressRelease.aspx?mediaid=40189.

10

NRMA, How Wearables Are Set to Impact Driving, The National Roads and Motorists Association, Jan. 5,
2015, http://www.mynrma.com.au/roadside-assistance/business/businessnews_36303030303632.htm.

11

Timothy J. Seppala, AR Firms Prototype Glass App Makes You an Amateur Car Mechanic, Engadget,
Sept. 18, 2013, http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/18/metaio-automotive-augmented-reality/.

12

Florian Schumacher, Wearables in the Automotive Industry, Wearable Technologies (WT), May 16, 2014,
http://www.wearable-technologies.com/2014/05/wearables-in-the-car/.

cognizant 20-20 insights

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DriveSafe Web site, http://www.drivesafeforglass.com/.

14

Antuan Goodwin, Inrix Traffic Demos Google Glass as a HUD in the Car, CNET, Sept. 13, 2013, http://www.
cnet.com/news/inrix-traffic-demos-google-glass-as-a-hud-in-the-car/.

15

Production Business Cases, WearIT@work Web site, http://www.wearitatwork.com/business-cases/

production/.

16

Iaki Maurtua, Wearable Technology in Automotive Industry: From Training to Real Production,
INTECH, 2009, http://www.intechopen.com/books/human-computer-interaction/wearable-technology-inautomotive-industry-from-training-to-real-production.

17

Michael Wayland, Auto industry Eying Google Glass, Wearable Technologies, mLive, Aug. 5, 2014, http://
www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2014/08/auto_industry_eyeing_google_gl.html.

18

Brian S. Hall, Always Fasten Your Seatbelt, and Your Automotive Wearables, ThePush, July 16, 2014,
http://thepu.sh/trends/automotive-wearables/.

19

In-vehicle Wearable Integration to Accelerate Convergence; Global Penetration in New Cars

to Exceed 90% by 2019, ABI Research, Feb. 4, 2014, https://www.abiresearch.com/press/
in-vehicle-wearable-integration-to-accelerate-conv.

About the Authors

Prasad Satyavolu is Global Head of Innovation within Cognizants Manufacturing and Logistics Business
Unit. He has worked extensively across the automotive, aerospace, consumer products, industrial, process, logistics and retail sectors, enhancing core processes in product development, integrated supply
chain and customer experience management. His 24-plus years of experience span the industry value
chain and extend across continents. Prasad has authored and guided research on product development, global sourcing, lean enablement strategies and advanced analytical techniques to transform
business performance. Prasad has a bachelors degree in engineering from DEI Dayalbagh, India,
and has completed the Management Education Program at IIM Ahmedabad, India. He can be reached
at Prasad.Satyavolu@cognizant.com | LinkedIn: http://in.linkedin.com/in/ssprasadsatyavolu | Twitter:
@prasadsatyavolu.
Sushil J. Cherian is Solutions Development Leader for Cognizants Manufacturing and Logistics Business
Unit. He heads the team developing innovative business solutions for the automotive and logistics industry, leveraging social, mobile, analytics and cloud technologies. He has 17-plus years of experience in IT
project delivery for large automotive OEMs and manufacturing customers across multiple geographies.
Sushil has a bachelor of engineering degree in computer science from Madras University, India. He can
be reached at SushilJacob.Cherian@cognizant.com.
Swaytha Rajagopalan is a Consultant within Cognizant Business Consultings Manufacturing and
Logistics Business Unit. She has more than five years of experience in consulting. She can be reached at
Swaytha.Rajagopalan@cognizant.com.

About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the worlds leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in
Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction, technology innovation, deep industry
and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 75
development and delivery centers worldwide and approximately 217,700 employees as of March 31, 2015, Cognizant
is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among
the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com or follow us on
Twitter: Cognizant.

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