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Metronaut: A wearable computer with sensing and global communication capabilities

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Abstract

Metronaut is a novel wearable computer which captures information, senses position, provides wide range communications, consumes less than one watt of power, and weighs less than one pound. Metronaut employs a bar code reader for information input and position location, a two-way pager for communications, and an ARM processor for computation. Metronaut's application is schedule negotiation and guidance instructions for a visitor to the CMU campus. The visitor's position is determined from reading bar codes at information signs around campus. Modifications to the schedule are negotiated using the two-way pager for communications with the campus computing infrastructure. Metronaut is alternatively powered by a mechanical flywheel converting kinetic energy to electrical energy.

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Smailagic, A., Martin, R., Rychlik, B. et al. Metronaut: A wearable computer with sensing and global communication capabilities. Personal Technologies 1, 260–267 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01682029

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