Decades of research in computer science have provided the technology for hands-off computing using speech and gesturing for input. Miniature heads-up displays weighting less than a few ounces combined with mobile wireless communication technology make it possible for users to access information anytime, anywhere. It is even possible to sense a user's position such that information can be superimposed on the user's physical workspace. Wearable computers deal in information rather than programs, becoming tools in the user's environment much like pencils or reference books. Wearable computers provide automatic, portable access to information.
Sensors make the wearable computer an active part of the environment.
When the user modifies the environment, such as repairing a component, the information could be entered into the wearable system's records. Thus the information can be automatically accumulated by the wearable system as the user interacts with and modifies the environment, thereby eliminating the costly and error-prone process of information acquisition. The information that the system provides must be easily and comfortably accessible. Communication between the mobile computer and distant computers must be continuously available. It is common for maintenance manuals to approach 100,000 pages in length.