In 2015, Marty McFly's jacket selected the length of the sleeves (for whom were they made that way, for orangutans?), Was blown out and dried in a few seconds, and the laces on the sneakers were automatically tightened . Looked awesome cool apart from the sleeves. But today we imagine smart clothes differently. We have selected several projects with interesting ideas. Perhaps some of them will become commonplace in a few years.
Levi's Commuter x Jacquard
A joint project of Levi's and Google. The cuffs of the inconspicuous denim jacket are woven with touch-sensitive threads, and electronics are placed under the fabric. The jacket can be wirelessly connected to an Android smartphone and turns into a touch control. By patting and stroking the sleeve, you can change the volume of the music, hide notifications, use quick answers to calls and messages, control the navigator. In general, the set of functions is small, and the possibilities depend on the will and imagination of Google.
Tommy Jeans Xplore clothing line
A couple of years ago, the company released a series of sweatshirts, blouses, jackets, jeans, baseball caps and bags with a built-in Bluetooth geo-positioning chip that tracks the number of socks and also records the coordinates of the wearer's movements. The more you wear, the greater the discount in company stores. So-so "smart" features, but that is. It seems that the target audience did not admire, because now the clothes of the Jeans Xplore line on the official website can only be found in the sale section .
Nadi X
Kickstarter project to create smart leggings for yoga fans. When the wearer assumes one of the poses prescribed in the appendix, the pants use the sewn-in vibration motors to tell which part of which limb needs to be moved in order for the pose to be perfect. Super leggings cost $ 250 excluding shipping.
Sensoria smart socks
Pressure sensors are sewn into the soles of the socks , and a removable electronics unit is attached to the side. The socks track the pressure of the feet, and the app tells you what to change in your movements to run or walk more efficiently.
Nike Adapt BB
The first version of Nike's smart sneaker (no longer in production) was called the Hyper Adapt 1.0. They were equipped with motors and could adjust the foot position for maximum comfort.
Then came the self-tightening Adapt BB and Adapt BB 2.0. There is an application that allows you to adjust the tightening force and the color of the backlight. Approved by Marty McFly.
Ambiotex T-shirt
Microfiber T-shirt with sewn-in sensors, and in front there are magnets for attaching the electronics unit. Knows how to record the heart rate and respiration rate, heart rate variability and the general dynamics of indicators during the day. Clothes will not let you lie to yourself, as you overworked in the gym. Or immediately inform about health problems in an elderly relative.
Hexoskin clothing line
A wide range of skinny tank tops that record heart rate, breathing rate, steps, calories burned. Even in a dream. It is useful for those who want to “keep abreast” and analyze their condition in detail.
Mircod
And this is a Russian project of smart clothes - uniforms. Moreover, it can be equipped like a good smartphone:
- Galvanic sensors for sweat analysis.
- Gyro sensor, accelerometer and magnetometer for determining position in space.
- Barometer.
- Temperature sensors.
- Heart rate and respiratory rate sensors.
- Gas analyzers for determining air pollution.
And at the same time, there is no stupid electronics unit, everything is made as inconspicuous and sewn-in as possible.
Athos
Smart clothing for athletes (with a removable electronics unit), which through the application clearly shows which muscle groups are being activated at the moment. Well, the heart rate with breathing, where is without them. You can then analyze and correct your movements if you do something wrong.
HugShirt - hug blouse
That we are all about sports, after all, we need to think about just pleasant, and not necessarily useful. For example, a blouse with built-in sensors and actuators for transmitting hugs. You connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, hug yourself, and send the recording to your half (or half), who is also wearing a hug blouse. And the clothes convey the feeling of being hugged. Somehow. Perfectly perfect by the standards of 2020 - the apotheosis of social distancing.
Xenoma e-skin
Another manufacturer of smart clothes this time not only for athletes, but also for the elderly. Clothing records vital signs and physical activity so that you can exercise more effectively or immediately alert you to health problems.
Ministry of Supply Mercury Jacket
The jacket is equipped with electric carbon heaters with automatic thermostat activation. The temperature limit is not specified, although it is unlikely that the jacket can handle a 30-degree frost, unless you drop the battery in half an hour. And he is here, by the way, of a decent size.
Today, most smart clothing models are made for athletes who want to record and analyze their vital signs while exercising. The second largest audience for such clothing is the elderly. And with other tasks it is still sad, mostly these are very niche or "art house" projects that are not intended for a truly mass consumer. In addition, smart clothes have not yet managed to get rid of the rather massive block of electronics. Yes, they are trying to make it as small as possible, easier and quicker to remove, give it a pretentious design - but without it it would be better.
PS If you missed our selection of air taxi projects, it's here .