Classification of wearable electronic devices

Abstract

Background. Today smart watches, fitness bracelets, smart rings are must-have accessory for everyone who cares about their health. It is projected that the average annual growth of the wearable device market in 2021–2026 will be 18 %, which is respectively reflected in this segment of the Ukrainian market.
Well-known electronics stores use different approaches to group the range of wearable devices, as there are no single standards to classify these products.
The aim of this article is to develop a classification of wearable devices and to identify the classification features for smart watches and fitness bracelets based on the analysis of the assortment presented in online stores.
Materials and methods. Methods of logical analysis, generalization of scientific literature, statistical data of export and import of wearable devices were applied. Data on their assortment and grouping in well-known retail chains were used to create a classification.
Results. Based on the analysis of the world market of electronic goods and the assortment of well-known retail chains, the authors propose a classification of goods related to wearable devices. In particular, there is a division of wearable devices into 7 groups (wrist devices, head devices, smart clothes, smart shoes, smart jewelry, wearable devices, medical devices), these groups include subgroups, categories and subcategories.
Only a few types of wearable devices are sold on the Ukrainian market – smart watches, fitness bracelets, virtual reality glasses and smart rings. However, only two retail chains allocate these products separately in the product group "Wearable Products", the others form a large product group "Gadgets…", which according to the authors is not entirely correct, as the latter differ significantly in purpose and characteristics.
Since the range of smart watches and fitness bracelets is quite wide and includes hundreds of types, it is proposed to use a number of classification features that clearly distinguish them by their functionality.
Conclusion. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the wearable devices market seg­ment will continue to grow. Restrictions on mobility and an individual’s desire to monitor vital signs of their health during a pandemic will be the main factors that will influence the market for these devices.
The classification of goods related to wearable devices has been developed. The classification features for smart watches and fitness bracelets, the range of which includes hundreds of types, are proposed. It is established that the main difference between smart watches and a fitness bracelets is a wider functionality of the first and a much longer battery life of the latter.