Sony throws SmartWig into wearable tech ring

Vendor submits patent for hairpiece that gives directions and measures blood pressure

Sony is considering moving further into the wearable tech space by submitting a patent for what is thought to be the industry's first smartwig.

The hairpieces are designed to be worn on top of users' natural hair and will be wireless-enabled and able to perform a range of functions including giving directions and measuring blood pressure, according to a patent filed by the firm.

But it's not all about function, Sony said, as the wigs might have a "fancy or funny" appearance.

"The wearable computing device proposed in this disclosure has the potential to become very popular and commonly used," Sony said in the patent filing. "The proposed device could even be used as a kind of combined technically intelligent item and fashion item at the same time."

Wearables are tipped to be the next big thing in technology, with vendors like Apple, Google and Microsoft known or thought to be working on offerings.

Early predictions forecast a boom in smartwatches and smartglasses in the coming years, but smartwigs are yet to come on analysts' radars.

Sony said it sees use cases for the SmartWig across the board, including for actors playing different roles and for consumers who like dressing up.

"However, it is to be noted that the wearable computing device proposed herein may be worn by any people, even by people who usually do not wear wigs," it hastened to add.

"Bald people who usually wear wigs in their daily life could [also] take advantage of the wide variety of functions that are provided by the wearable computing device proposed herein."