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Suggest pagesWearable technology
Wearable technology, tech togs, or fashion electronics are clothing and accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies. The designs often incorporate practical functions and features, but may also have a purely critical or aesthetic agenda.
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[edit] History
Wearable technology is related to both the field of ubiquitous computing and the history and development of wearable computers. With ubiquitous computing, wearable technology share the vision of interweaving technology into the everyday life, of making technology pervasive and interaction frictionless. Through the history and development of wearable computing, this vision has been both contrasted and affirmed. Affirmed through the multiple projects directed at either enhancing or extending functionality of clothing, and as contrast, most notably through Steve Mann's concept of sousveillance. The history of wearable technology is influenced by both of these responses to the vision of ubiquitous computing.[original research?]
The calculator watch, introduced in the 1980s, was one original piece of widespread worn electronics.
Ilya Fridman designed a Bluetooth headset into a pair of earrings with a hidden microphone.[1][2] The Spy TIE includes a color video camera and USB Heating Gloves keep hands warm when plugged in.[1]
The tweeter can wear a "Pocket Tweet" using a Java application and cutting out and applying a Twitter text bubble to a person's shirt, one example of Do-it-yourself wearable tech that was part of an art exhibit for the Wearable Technology AIR project in spring 2009. [3]
Wearable technology has applications in monitoring and realtime feedback for athletes as well.[4] The decreasing cost of processing power and other components is encouraging widespread adoption and availability.[4]
[edit] Prototypes
Sony Ericsson teamed up with the London College of Fashion for a contest to design digital clothing, and the winner was a cocktail dress with Bluetooth technology making it light up when a call is received.[1] Zach "Hoeken Smith" of MakerBot fame made keyboard pants during a "Fashion Hacking" workshop at a New York City creative collective. [1]
Prototypes for digital eyewear with heads up display (HUD) are being developed.[5] The US military employs headgear with displays for soldiers using a technology called holographic optics.[5]
[edit] Festivals and shows
Amsterdam's 5 Days Off festival included a free show called "Wearable Technology: Powered Art and Fashion."[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Alexandra Le Tellier Tech Togs July 22, 2009 Technology Brand X/ LA Times
- ^ And you thought the Jawbone Headset was stylish, LA Times blog
- ^ Chris Davies Pocket Tweet app turns your shirt into a Twitter bubble July 1, 2009 SlashGear
- ^ a b Duncan Smith The Rise of the Virtual Trainer July 13, 2009 Product Design and Development
- ^ a b Anne Eisenberg Inside These Lenses, a Digital Dimension April 25, 2009 New York Times
- ^ Joel Weickgenant Plenty of Spinning, but More Than Just the D.J. July 15, 2009 New York Times
[edit] External links
- Do It Yourself Wearable Technology
- Wear your heart on your sleeve article from physics.org
