The technology world witnessed a major event last week, demonstrating the quick progress of the wearable industry. London played host to the Wearable Technology Show, the first conference of its kind in the UK.

The show was attended by giants such as Intel and GoPro, as well as by small start-ups, TechWeek Europe reported. According to Real Business, the most impressing gadgets at the show included an intelligent headset with 3D audio; Kiroco interactive smartphone jewellery; AiQ smart clothing that can measure the user's stress level, fat content and muscle strength; the SunSprite meter designed to treat and monitor seasonal affective disorder; advanced wearable computer Kopin Golden-i 3.8D; Snapwatch and HD sunglasses SunnyCam.

TechWeek Europe cited Intel futurist Steve Brown as saying in his opening speech at the show that wearable technology was bringing the physical and digital worlds closer together. In his view, people use such gadgets to "help them be their best selves". Brown believes that people's perception of technology as a way to further themselves could lead them to the development of wearable devices that may even give them extra-sensory powers.

It is a common view that wearable technology represents the next big shift in technology, similar to the evolution of smartphones from personal computers. Being aware of the opportunities in this new market, more and more technology giants are seeking to enter it. Such is the case with Google, which last week announced its first step in the wearable technology market through the release of Android Wear, a project that extends Android to wearables, starting with watches.