Textronics, a leader in textile sensor technology, is now offering a DIY kit for people interested in developing heart rate monitoring textiles. This marks the first time that Textronics is offering and official kit for purchase.
The Developers Kit offer 12 textile sensors, a variety of knit tubes, wrist cuffs and chest straps. Additionally they include conductive thread and 2 transmitters with the kit. These transmitters are compatible with most analog heart rate monitors like Polar.
The kit which sells for $100.00 is a very thorough kit to help anyone start anyone get started in the vital monitoring garment game. This can open the door to many fitness and sporting tech garments. It is always great when an industry leader can offer these kits to the general public. Making it easier for ..read more
QIO Systems is now offering textile touch pads for fashion fabricators. Using Elektex and SOFTswitch technology, and is completely fabric. That means that it can be washed and dry cleaned. Even though it is washable, it is rated at up to 100,000 keypresses.
Next to the fabric keypad QIO Systems offers a wide range of electronic modules with control functions for the iPod, Bluetooth cell phones, wearable radio, Push-to-talk solutions and complete solution for integrated heating and integrated lighting into garments and soft goods.
Fibretronic has released a new series of controls. The FTXS series is a soft control keypad that is able to be integrated into textiles. The super soft keypad is targeted for mobile devices.This is designed to work directly with Fibretronics CONNECTED-wear modules for iPod, iPhone and MP3. These Fibretronic products are found in many smart textiles sold.
A few days ago we wrote about the HandTalk glove designed by Carnegie Mellon students. We also thought that was an original concept. False. Turns out in 2001 the concept was created by Ryan Patterson.
Patterson imagined this concept while sitting in a restaurant and seen a def patron having a hard time conveying an order. Looking to make this happen for a science fair, he began his mission. A mere 7 months later his Sign Language Translator concept was complete.
What does this mean? Ryan’s Sign Language Translator was a Grand Award winner in the 2001 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the first place winner in the individual category at the 2001 Siemens Westinghouse Science & Technology Competition, he received top ..read more
Fibretronic made a blazing start into the 2008 Wearable Electronic year with the introduction of the CONNECTED-wear program.
The uniqueness of this new system from Fibretronic is the separation of the textile component, the keypad that goes into clothing and fashion accessories, from the control electronics, the small box that is talking to the iPod, cellphone or audio player in your pocket or bag.
The consumer activates his/her garment or bag according the needs by purchasing an electronic module from the CONNECTED-wear product range which will be available from selected retailers and online.
Initially the CONNECTED-wear modules will be available for iPod, MP3 player and music phones.
The flexibility of selecting after the purchase of a garment or bag the product compatibility comes from the standardized system of the CONNECTED-wear ..read more
Fibretronic’s Fiddler joystick system known from the Levi’s Redwire Jeans enables you to upgrade your outfit to work with your iPod.
The joystick module comes together with the iPod interface electronics in a blister pack. It allows for easy attachment and removal of the iPod controller to any clothing.
The first company to implement this product and create a clothing line is ToBe Technology, a Swedish manufacturer of hip snow sportswear.
ToBe’s iPod enabled Jackets are designed for easy integration of Fibretronic’s iPod control module giving their customers the flexibility to interchange the control system between different garments in ToBe’s product range.
The module itself has on its base Velcro which allows the attachment on any type of garment or soft good like bags where there is a patch of Velcro and provisions to ..read more
Great news for all Wearable Electronic DIY enthusiasts, Students and their Professors and Fashion Designer.
Eleksen offers now next to the Evaluation Kit the ElekTex keypads and the electronics module for iPod control.
This is music in our ears. Finally, everyone interested in experiencing the often mentioned fabric keyboard can now use them to realize own design ideas.
Fashion students will be able to visualize the actual functionality of their Wearable Electronic creations to make fully functional samples but also to find out how to use and utilize the potential of the ElekTex sensor technology.
Two types of sensors are available to choose from: the first type has 5 buttons with a shorter textile cable ribbon and the second type offers more flexibility by being able to define up to 6 buttons together with ..read more
Eleksen launched their Evaluation Kit targeted towards designers, academics, and journalists to get a first-hand experience with ElekTex technology.
The ElekTex evaluation kit is designed to explore the interface design for interactive soft goods products, including consumer and industrial apparel and accessories.
The Evaluation Kit enables users to experience and learn how to program smart fabric interfaces using button, scroll and gesture controls. It represents an ideal first step for those looking to develop commercial applications using ElekTex.
ElekTex is a unique electro-conductive fabric touch pad optimized for the creation of flexible, durable, and rugged fabric interfaces.
The Evaluation Kit consists of a standard ElekTex sensor and its associated control electronics module which connects to a Windows PC via a USB port. Also included in the kit are three fabric overlays which together with ..read more
Whatever electrical function we want to integrate in our clothing, it has to have at least one switch, to switch this function on and off.
To make an electrical textile switch is easier than you might think, especially by following the instructions worked out by Leah Buechley.
Based on the idea and DIY instruction from Leah, we show how to create a single switch that uses only textile materials. With this instruction, you can create your own versions with multi switch keyboards or give them different shapes.
Please visit Leah’s Website for detail information where to get the materials. She has links for each item needed that helps you to find out where to buy them.
What you need to make a textile switch:
Fabric glue
Patch conductive fabric
Patch of felt, wool or a ..read more
