(NaturalNews) As technology advances, the development of ridiculous and mostly useless gadgets soar, many of which only receive attention due to their bizarreness. While wearable technology has grown increasingly popular, this latest invention leaves you wondering whether such a product will ever be in demand.

If you think the idea of robotic pets sounds ridiculous, wait until you learn about the wearable banana, a real piece of fruit designed to alert you if you're physically overexerting yourself, notify you of lap times and help cheer you on through Twitter updates.

Named "the world's first edible wearable," the wearable banana is equipped with GPS sensors and LED lights and designed to be worn on the wrist, reports Tech Times.

The Japanese division of Dole, the world's largest fruit distributor, developed the strange device, debuting it at February's Tokyo Marathon, but according to reports, only two out of 30,000 participants donned the new gadget.

Wearable banana sends marathon runners encouraging Twitter updates

Robotically modified, the wearable banana's peelings contain electronic components and LED lights that display information, such as the user's heart rate. The device is also capable of sending messages that remind the user to replenish important vitamins and minerals such as potassium after long-distance running, relays and marathons.

"Engineers have tested it day in and day out to come up with this amazing device," said Dole in a video promotion for the new product. "This is no regular banana. It's the best companion for any marathoner. You can strap it around your wrist and run with it until you finish the race."

The most bizarre thing about the new wearable? You can eat it when you're done exercising. Tech Times reports that the device's real banana is removed to attach the electrical components, but is later replaced with a "smaller banana" and stitched back up to resemble an unpeeled banana.

The wearable is connected via a cord to a separate device that's worn by the user. "The power source is a small battery connected to the wearable banana. Inside the battery there are ultra-compact LEDs and other electronic components," said Dole, which has not yet released all of the specs for the device.

The wearable device market is projected to reach an estimated $52 billion by 2019, according to CNET, prompting competitors to develop other wearable fuel technology. Take for example the Wearable Tomato project, an electronic robot that attaches to your back like a backpack, feeding you tomatoes while running or working out.

Also debuted at the Tokyo marathon, the tomato-dispensing backpack is designed to conveniently provide runners with the nutrition they need. However, its developers say their invention won't be complete until it can be worn on the wrist like the wearable banana.

While wearable food devices seem a little outlandish, the concept of getting enough vitamins and minerals before, after or during a workout makes perfect sense. Runners often suffer from muscle cramps in the legs caused by a mineral imbalance. Rich in potassium, bananas work effectively for preventing and even relieving muscle cramps.

The amino and citric acids found in tomatoes help convert glucose into energy, as well as reduce inflammation, making them an excellent dietary staple for long-distance runners. Incorporating tomatoes into your diet is important, but whether you need a robot strapped to your back feeding you those tomatoes is yet to be determined.

Access to clean, healthy and nutritious food is incredibly important. Unfortunately, due to the reckless actions of large powerful corporations, this access is becoming more and more limited.

But there's good news. The development of the Food Rising Mini-Farm kit makes it easy and inexpensive to grow your own food that's non-GMO and free of pesticides. Make sure to check it out at FoodRising.org.

Additional sources:

Running.Competitor.com

Running.Competitor.com

TechTimes.com

LiveStrong.com

FoodRising.org