Smart textiles and clothing: opportunities for providing comfort, functionality and insight into consumer behaviour and lifestyles
Significant developments have been made in the commercialisation of wearable technologies such as fitness trackers and smart watches, and such developments have spurred innovation in smart textiles and clothing. Several innovators have developed smart textile and clothing products for sports and fitness applications, and there is strong interest in smart textiles and clothing for health care and workwear applications—particularly as such products have the potential to transform patient care and improve safety and efficiency in the workplace. Smart textiles and clothing also provide a means of conveniently gathering huge amounts of data about consumers—which can provide brands and retailers with invaluable insight into the lifestyles of consumers and the ways in which products are used after the point of sale. However, some technical issues have yet to be addressed. Key challenges facing the industry include the complexity of manufacturing smart textile and clothing products, and the need for small and extremely efficient power sources. This report provides a wealth of information on recent innovations in smart textiles and clothing. Furthermore, it examines: components and materials used in the manufacture of smart textiles and clothing; the market for smart textiles and clothing; applications for smart textiles and clothing; the industry's key players; and opportunities and challenges—with particular reference to legislation and standards and environmental sustainability.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
DEVELOPMENT OF SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
Electrically conductive fibres and yarns
Electrically conductive polymers and inks
Sensors and actuators
Sensors
Actuators
Electrical components
Microcontrollers and microprocessors
Power sources
MARKET FOR SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
Research and development
Value of the market
APPLICATIONS FOR SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
KEY PLAYERS, SMALLER COMPANIES AND COLLABORATION
Smaller companies and the role of venture capitalists
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Opportunities
New revenue streams and consumer engagement
Consumer insight and product testing
Open systems
Challenges
Environmental sustainability
Legislation and standards
Impact of product complexity on design, development and manufacture
Data collection and security
INNOVATIONS IN SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
AiQ Motion and BioMan+
Belginova, Empa, Kjus, Osmotex and Schoeller Textil: Hydro_Bot
Bonbouton: graphene oxide thermal sensors and sensors for monitoring breathing rates
Carr? Technologies (Hexoskin): Bio-Monitor system and Astroskin
Clim8: Clim8
Edema: Edema Stocking
Empa: photonic textiles for the treatment of newborn babies who suffer from jaundice
Far Eastern New Century (FENC): DynaFeed
Fhoss Technology: illuminated personal protective equipment (PPE)
Footfalls & Heartbeats: smart textile sensors
LifeSense Group: Carin and Wil smart underwear for incontinence monitoring
Carin system
Wil system
Ministry of Supply: Mercury Intelligent Heated Jacket
Myant: SKIIN
ProGlove: Mark
Sensoria: Sensoria fitness apparel, socks and shoes
Servier: Cardioskin T-shirt
StretchSense: stretch sensors and smart garments
SUPAspot: SUPA
Teijin Limited: smart firefighters’ apparel
Volt Smart Yarns: Volt Smart Yarns
Wearable X: Nadi X yoga leggings
OUTLOOK
INTRODUCTION
DEVELOPMENT OF SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
Electrically conductive fibres and yarns
Electrically conductive polymers and inks
Sensors and actuators
Sensors
Actuators
Electrical components
Microcontrollers and microprocessors
Power sources
MARKET FOR SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
Research and development
Value of the market
APPLICATIONS FOR SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
KEY PLAYERS, SMALLER COMPANIES AND COLLABORATION
Smaller companies and the role of venture capitalists
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Opportunities
New revenue streams and consumer engagement
Consumer insight and product testing
Open systems
Challenges
Environmental sustainability
Legislation and standards
Impact of product complexity on design, development and manufacture
Data collection and security
INNOVATIONS IN SMART TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
AiQ Motion and BioMan+
Belginova, Empa, Kjus, Osmotex and Schoeller Textil: Hydro_Bot
Bonbouton: graphene oxide thermal sensors and sensors for monitoring breathing rates
Carr? Technologies (Hexoskin): Bio-Monitor system and Astroskin
Clim8: Clim8
Edema: Edema Stocking
Empa: photonic textiles for the treatment of newborn babies who suffer from jaundice
Far Eastern New Century (FENC): DynaFeed
Fhoss Technology: illuminated personal protective equipment (PPE)
Footfalls & Heartbeats: smart textile sensors
LifeSense Group: Carin and Wil smart underwear for incontinence monitoring
Carin system
Wil system
Ministry of Supply: Mercury Intelligent Heated Jacket
Myant: SKIIN
ProGlove: Mark
Sensoria: Sensoria fitness apparel, socks and shoes
Servier: Cardioskin T-shirt
StretchSense: stretch sensors and smart garments
SUPAspot: SUPA
Teijin Limited: smart firefighters’ apparel
Volt Smart Yarns: Volt Smart Yarns
Wearable X: Nadi X yoga leggings
OUTLOOK
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Woven Wearable Motherboard (Smart Shirt)
Figure 2: Sensoria short sleeve T-shirt with snap on module
Figure 3: Diagram of Astroskin system
Figure 4: Illuminated pyjamas
Figure 5: Carin system
Figure 6: Mark glove
Figure 7: Sensoria Fitness Socks and anklet
Figure 8: Sensoria Smart Running Shoe
Figure 9: Cardioskin T-shirt
Figure 10: Stretch sensing element
Figure 11: SUPA Sports Bra
Figure 12: Teijin firefighter’s uniform and smart protective system (SPS)
Figure 13: Nadi X yoga leggings
Figure 1: Woven Wearable Motherboard (Smart Shirt)
Figure 2: Sensoria short sleeve T-shirt with snap on module
Figure 3: Diagram of Astroskin system
Figure 4: Illuminated pyjamas
Figure 5: Carin system
Figure 6: Mark glove
Figure 7: Sensoria Fitness Socks and anklet
Figure 8: Sensoria Smart Running Shoe
Figure 9: Cardioskin T-shirt
Figure 10: Stretch sensing element
Figure 11: SUPA Sports Bra
Figure 12: Teijin firefighter’s uniform and smart protective system (SPS)
Figure 13: Nadi X yoga leggings
