Developing an Intelligent Wearable Haptic IoT-Enabled Sensing Device Integrated with Biosensors and Augmented Reality to Improve Human-Building Interaction in Smart Cities

Wearable technology promises significant potential in the development and enhancement of smart cities, such as public safety, environmental monitoring, and smart transportation. Many studies have examined and identified the significance of wearable devices in the construction industry, but only limited attention has been placed on wearable haptic devices. To this end, this paper develops a novel wearable haptic IoT device and examines its applications in smart cities. The device enhances human-building interactions by providing real-time, two-way information in an augmented reality (AR) environment. An AR application was developed for immersive indoor environment monitoring in smart buildings. Biosensors were used to understand the user’s interaction with the AR application and the indoor environment. A wearable haptic device was designed to provide tactile feedback and warnings about uncomfortable indoor conditions. The device was demonstrated for an indoor thermal assessment in a smart building, showing its ability to provide accurate, real-time information. This research contributes to the field by developing a unique wearable haptic device that improves human-building interaction in smart cities.