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Wearable Technology Solutions

The popularity of the smartphone and its rapidly expanding connectivity capabilities has enabled the rise of a new family of devices that are worn by the user. Wearable devices bring convenient, real-time information tracking that enables personal health, interactive gaming, navigation, and performance monitoring, and their potential continues to grow. Molex has deep and wide capabilities, technology and expertise that are allowing development of cutting-edge solutions for this innovative market.

Overview


Wearable technology is one of the most inventive areas of personal electronics, with the potential for solutions in a wide array of applications. These devices can take many forms, including the latest watches and smart garments. They are providing consumers with new ways to interact with technology, whether for convenience, improving lifestyles or accessing life-saving medical care.

Designers of next-generation wearable devices will help to redefine our understanding of mobile devices. The distinction between clothing and technology has already started to blur as advances in flexible circuitry and miniaturized components allow everyday garments and devices to include smart functionality.

In this highly competitive marketplace, designers need to continuously develop innovative solutions to attract customers. This means manufacturers must maintain the fast pace of new product releases, with as little as 12 months between each succeeding generation.  

Wearables are finding new roles in applications such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and designers are facing complex challenges in delivering the latest features for customers. These devices need greater processing power and faster communications, requiring greater performance from sensors to batteries. At the same time, users expect smaller and slimmer form factors to house this extensive functionality.  

Designers need to work with companies that can provide products that will drive competitive advantage in the next generation of wearable devices.  With more components than ever packed into smaller spaces, connectors play important roles in protecting signal integrity and minimizing the effects of heat generation. Designers must also be aware of the hazards of EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) on the operation of such small devices, especially under the stringent requirements of medical applications.

These features have already found applications in the lifestyle and leisure industries, and their potential continues to grow. Drawing from a 30-year legacy of close collaboration with the world’s leading brands in the development of ground-breaking micro-connectors such as Quad Row Connectors, Molex has the experience and technology to support customers in creating cutting-edge solutions for this dynamic market.

Earbud Design

Consumer expectations for high-fidelity sound, longer battery life and smart features are driving an earbud design challenge: How do you fit all these features into such a compact device? Find out how miniaturized connectors from Molex aid the design of wireless earbuds, freeing up more space for advanced new features.


Blog

The Consumerization of Healthcare: A New Landscape for Medical Device Design 

Designing medical wearables does not leave much room for error. After all, patients rely on these devices for their health and wellbeing. Learn how designers are developing safe, comfortable and effective devices that meet strict regulations. 

Smart Thinking Makes Smartwatches Smarter

The Molex design team has developed customized solutions for the many unique demands of smartwatch manufacturers. Read how Quad-Row Connectors became a reality.

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The Future of Wearable Technology

The mobile industry is one of the most dynamic in the world.  Molex talked to the leaders in the industry to ask “what comes next?”

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Developing Groundbreaking 5G Connectors

Wearables will depend on the latest 5G communications.  Molex engineers are creating groundbreaking miniaturized solutions for the most compact devices.

Close up of female hand holding a phone with a 5G hologram in coffee shop. 5G network wireless systems.The concept of 5G network, high-speed mobile Internet, new generation networks.

High Speed Device-to-Device Contactless Connectivity

As mobile and consumer products become smaller, thinner and sleeker, and the speed and volume of communications grow, streamlining device-to-device communications becomes more and more challenging. 

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How Collaboration Enables Unprecedented Customer Value

It comes as no surprise that seamless coordination between Jabil and Molex during COVID-19 was anchored by a 25-year track record of working together. “You can’t buy history,” adds McKay. “We’ve got a long, tenured history and successes we can point to.” 

In striving to be the most trusted and technologically advanced manufacturing solutions provider on the planet, Jabil consistently overcomes manufacturing and market challenges. On behalf of its global customers, representing more than 450 of the world’s premier brands, Jabil has weathered macroeconomic forces, changing business models and shorter product development cycles through its supply chain solutions and strategic supplier relationships.

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“We really cared about the fact that the products we were building could save people’s lives and make a difference. We reached out to Molex and they reacted with lightning speed.”
Frank McKay
SVP and Chief Procurement Officer
Jabil

Creating Connections for Life 

Molex Quad-Row Board-to-Board Connectors

Additional Resources


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Will Wearables Redefine the Mobile Landscape?

From the latest fitness tools to advances in augmented reality, wearable devices are growing in popularity.  Could they change the mobile device market forever?

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Flexible Circuitry for Medical Wearables

Flexible printed circuits offer significant advantages over traditional, rigid printed circuit boards. Read how Molex flexible circuits are helping the designers of future medical devices.

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Designing Wearable Medical Technology

What does it take to design the latest wearable devices? Read how Molex brings powerful capabilities in support of cutting-edge applications.

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Quad-Row Board-to-Board Connectors

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5g mmWave RF Flex-to-Board Connectors

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Easy-On FFC/FPC Connectors

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Combo Antennas

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Fine Pitch SMT Board-to-Board Connectors

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