Most of the contemporary fitness tracking devices are confined to wearable accessories like wrist bands and necklaces. But what about a wearable technology that is more intrinsic in nature rather than being more glaring in its form? Wouldn’t that make the user more comfortable and confident while wearing it? Well, French company Cityzen Sciences has found an apt solution to this scope of fashion innateness. This solution entails a Smart Sensing fabric that can be used for making more ‘normal’ clothing items like shirts.
In terms of technology, the Smart Sensing fabric is woven with an array of micro-sensors for real time tracking of the user’s health and physical capacity. These sensors help in monitoring a slew of heath oriented parameters, like heart rate, respiration pattern, body heat and even the body’s state of motion (through GPS).
Juiced up by a battery-powered transmitter, the Smart Sensing fabric connects to a smartphone app to send all its collected data pertaining to our health. The dedicated app in turns assesses the information, and then determines the crucial physical state of the person; like if he/she is stressed or fatigued, or even if he/she is about to have a heart attack. Moreover, additional sensors can be integrated into the fabric for tracking complex parameters, like blood glucose levels and tidal volume.
Interestingly, the researchers behind the project are also looking forth to an innovative recharging mechanism. According to the grapevine, the scientists will develop a charging system that is fueled by kinetic motion. In other words, it hints at the prospect of charging the fabric when it going through its motional cycles inside the washing machine.
So, yes; the Smart Sensing fabric will have the practical capacity to be machine washed (and charged!). And, since we are hinging towards the commercial scheme of things, the material will also showcase the innate applications of fashion, with its ability to be contrived into various form of regular clothing, like – shirts, trousers and even gloves.
The technology is expected to make its commercial landfall by end of this year, with pricing estimated to be 30 to 40 percent more than conventional fabric.
Via: Gizmag
