Wearable machines used to be ideas of science fiction. Now, they are a part of daily life. For some, they bring paranoia of “Big Brother” privacy invasions, increased addiction to devices, and disconnection from nature. For others, they enhance daily living for better productivity and healthier habits.

However you think of wearable technology, it will be a significant part of the future. Here are today’s top forms of wearable technology.

Fitness Trackers

Health-focused people can now monitor their progress on their wrists. Fitness tracking devices such as the Fitbit can track the number of steps you take in a day, the number of calories you burn, as well as monitor your heart rate. Trends show that the rise of smartwatches will likely outlive the solo fitness tracker.

Smartwatches

Watches are becoming much more than time-telling devices. Now, people can look at watches to be informed of new emails, calls, and news updates, just to name a few. Applications on smartwatches can also monitor environmental conditions from UV rays to air pollution.

Though smartwatches are the most used wearable technology, their future compared to that of smartphones and generic watches is uncertain. Currently, the ratio of smartphones to smartwatches is 500 to 1, but Forbes predicts this will fall to 20 to 1 by 2019’s end. That means increased competition in the market. The CCS report adds: “With the wearables market set to be worth $25 billion by 2019 and a decline in traditional watch sales, it is little surprise that watchmakers such as Alpina, Frederique Constant, Fossil, Guess and TAG Heuer have started adding smartwatches to their portfolios.”

Head-Mounted Displays

Virtual reality is no longer a fantasy. Google glasses may not have succeeded with consumers, but other head-mounted displays are on the rise. These devices deliver information straight to your eyes while blocking out the real world. Whether virtual reality becomes part of actual reality is yet to be seen. Interpreting the information they generate is their primary weakness.

Implantables

Devices in and under the skin are a new way that consumers can monitor heart conditions and blood sugar levels for diabetes, take birth control, cancer detection, and much more. Enhanced quality of life with medical conditions creates high demand for implantable technology. The future of these medical advancements is bright as patients eagerly await for new ideas to address their health issues.

Smart Jewelry

Wearable technology is impressive, but not always fashionable. Enter smart jewelry. An earpiece used to look a little bit like what James Bond would wear in a movie, but now it is indistinguishable from an everyday fashion accessory.

Startups such as Peripherii Inc., for example, are creating smart, wireless and hands-free earrings that make calls, take voice commands, and more. Similar features are in rings, necklaces, bracelets, and even hair pieces. Jewelry designers are learning to create smart jewelry with minimal coding skills. The collaboration between jewelry designers and technology companies will blur the lines between machines and fashion.

New products in wearable technology test consumer reactions and raise the bar of innovation. Improvements to current products allow wearable technology to compete with the mainstream. What used to be ideas of fiction are now very real. How much will everyday items and technology combine? Time will tell.