Context-sensitive computing is another potential benefit of wearable computers. The wearable can be equipped with sensors that permit it to detect when it is in different environments such as a clinic, emergency room or operating room. The system can then adjust itself to applications and operation that are appropriate for the environment. Despite the potential advantages listed, wearables currently have low penetration in health care. Here are some of the factors limiting wearables' popularity.
Battery technology needs to be improved to permit longer use.
Ideally, a single battery should be sufficient for an entire day's use. The current application software has limited configurability to adapt to the needs of each individual health care provider. The current display is still cumbersome and consumes too much power. While natural language processing continues to improve, progress still needs to be made in areas such as speaker independence, ease of editing and reduced error rate. For this reason, a lack of a keyboard is often a handicap in a wearable environment.