Empowering human–environment well‐being through wearable sensing: Unveiling trends and addressing gaps in the energy transition

Abstract

Interactions between individuals and their environment play a vital role in uncovering the energy usage of building systems and improving human well‐being. The use of technology, such as wearable devices, enhances the study of people's perception of their surroundings and helps to comprehend the factors that influence individuals' satisfaction in both indoor and outdoor settings. Despite the growing number of publications in this field, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding and exploitation of wearable sensing potential in urban planning and building operations. To address this gap, this research conducted a bibliometric review of 1661 scientific studies on the topic, identifying trends and areas where wearable applications for human‐centric well‐being research in the built environment are lacking. The analysis of keywords revealed a focus on the application of data analytics to process the vast amount of information collected through wearable sensors. However, the complexity of the subject necessitates cross‐disciplinary and international collaborations, which are still in their early stages due to a variety of reasons. Additionally, there is a lack of research exploring the potential of multidomain studies and long‐term monitoring. When considering outdoor environments, the use of people‐as‐sensors through wearables can significantly contribute to the development of resilient urban planning and environmental risk management in smart cities. Wearable sensing technologies offer valuable insights into people's experiences and preferences, but further research and collaboration are needed to fully harness their potential in urban planning and building operations toward the energy transition. By embracing these technologies and exploring multidomain research, more resilient and human‐centric environments could enhance well‐being of individuals in both indoor and outdoor contexts.This article is categorized under: Sustainable Energy > Energy Efficiency Cities and Transportation > Buildings