Wash And Software: Fashion Goes Computerized
There was a time not too long ago when the thought of a computerized shirt able to transmit information like heart health, body temperature and stress index seemed like science fiction. The idea digital fabric could change design, automatically lifting or lowering hems, light up at night, change with the weather and interface with other clothes seemed absurd. Computer technology continues to develop, advanced by new materials and size reduction of components. Someday soon a man may walk into a Long Island computer repair shop and ask if anyone can fix his pants. Someday a Long Island computer might be a desk top, a hand held or a pair of shoes. Flexible light weight materials|Light and pliable resources} are bringing a new meaning to the term soft ware.
In the recent past there has been the introduction of metallic yarn, fiber that has conductive qualities, leading to the development of digital fabric. This fabric can be used to create clothing that can operate as wearable computers. With the advent of nano technology and flexible circuitry institutions and companies have begun creating prototypes of cyberwear. The potential is infinite and computerized clothes are already being made.
Imagine a shirt that can record and transmit vital signs, location and mobility. If a person has heart trouble, the shirt could function like a digital caretaker, monitoring the heart and even administering medication. A piece of clothing could monitor a heart beat, its rhythm, strength and consistency. If an issue arises it could send out a wireless signal to a practitioner who would be able to contact the person by phone or pant leg. A sensor could inform an implanted medical capsule to administer a dose of medicine for the patient. Or perhaps the clothing can send an early warning alarm if the persons pulse is showing troubling signs, like maybe the buttons could start glowing red.
An athlete may wear a track suit that can record his strides, heartbeats, muscle contractions and various other data that can benefit his or her training. Shoes can record the distance and number of steps. They could even be designed to adjust to various terrain or demand. Wireless signals could be sent out so an athlete in one part of the country could train with an athlete in another part of the country. Perhaps someday clothes will be able to record their surroundings and project them on the fiber making for the ultimate camouflage. Currently there are musical jackets and clothes that can light up and change color as the wearer moves.
Computer wear is coming. It will have many uses from entertainment and fashion, to medical and military. Cyberwear clothing is not science fiction. Cyberwears’ uses are limited only by imagination. Know-how is advancing rapidly enough to make nearly any computer fashion dream a reality.
