https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/11/17/app-controlled-knitwear-means-never-feel-cold/
The app-controlled knitwear that means you’ll never feel the cold again
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SKIINCore is a self-heating and wire-free piece of clothing will keep you warm for up to 8 hours Credit: SKIINCore
17 November 2018 • 3:00pm
Forget thick jumpers and padded coats. If you really want to stay warm this winter, consider investing in app-controlled knitwear.
A team of engineers in Canada has spent three years designing what it describes as “smart” clothing that can be controlled using a smartphone.
The range, named SKIINCore, is made up of a long-sleeved top and leggings that automatically change in temperature to create an individual “microclimate” for the wearer.
They both connect to a smartphone app that allows the wearer to adjust the temperature when they need an extra boost of warmth.
“We wanted to take the wires out of wearable technology and, living in Canada, we know what it’s like to deal with harsh cold weather,” said Hin Fan, SKIINCore’s product manager.
“While developing a textile computing platform, the team discovered a way to transfer heat through the fibers of everyday fabrics.”
The top and leggings are made using conductive yarn that is sandwiched between a sweat-wicking synthetic inner layer and a heat-trapping wool outer layer.
The yarn connects to a 56g battery that holds 18 watts of heating power - enough to keep the fabric warm for up to eight hours.
The battery comes with a USB-C port so wearers can also use it to charge their phone.
Its designers say it provides heat only to the areas of the body that are most sensitive to cold, which includes the body’s torso, hands, thighs, and feet. It avoids putting direct heat on areas that tend to become sweaty, such as the chest and back.
When the temperature drops the base layer will automatically switch on. It will turn off if it senses the body is about to get too warm. It also senses when the user is moving and learns to adapt.
The company behind the technology has launched a crowdfunding campaign to get the product on the high street. Online shoppers can currently purchase the complete set for £375.
SKIIN has previously released a “smart” underwear range that tracks fitness levels.
Sensors woven into the undergarments track heart rate, temperature, pressure, and motion, as well as body fat and hydration levels. These sensors send the data to a smartphone app, similar to top and leggings of the SKIINCore suit.
SKIIN isn’t the only company to create such technology. Boston-based start-up company Ministry of Supply has also designed a self-heating smart jacket that is able to respond to changes in temperature.
Like SKIIN’s product, the Mercury jacket comes with an app so users can input their preferences. The jacket also uses artificial intelligence to learn how best to change temperature over time.
Designs for “smart” clothing that react to the wearer have become increasingly popular over recent years. Pauline Van Dongen, a Dutch designer, helped pioneer smart clothing after launching clothes with integrated solar panels in 2013.
Related Topics
The app-controlled knitwear that means you’ll never feel the cold again
Save
17 November 2018 • 3:00pm
Forget thick jumpers and padded coats. If you really want to stay warm this winter, consider investing in app-controlled knitwear.
A team of engineers in Canada has spent three years designing what it describes as “smart” clothing that can be controlled using a smartphone.
The range, named SKIINCore, is made up of a long-sleeved top and leggings that automatically change in temperature to create an individual “microclimate” for the wearer.
They both connect to a smartphone app that allows the wearer to adjust the temperature when they need an extra boost of warmth.
“We wanted to take the wires out of wearable technology and, living in Canada, we know what it’s like to deal with harsh cold weather,” said Hin Fan, SKIINCore’s product manager.
“While developing a textile computing platform, the team discovered a way to transfer heat through the fibers of everyday fabrics.”
The top and leggings are made using conductive yarn that is sandwiched between a sweat-wicking synthetic inner layer and a heat-trapping wool outer layer.
The yarn connects to a 56g battery that holds 18 watts of heating power - enough to keep the fabric warm for up to eight hours.
The battery comes with a USB-C port so wearers can also use it to charge their phone.
Its designers say it provides heat only to the areas of the body that are most sensitive to cold, which includes the body’s torso, hands, thighs, and feet. It avoids putting direct heat on areas that tend to become sweaty, such as the chest and back.
When the temperature drops the base layer will automatically switch on. It will turn off if it senses the body is about to get too warm. It also senses when the user is moving and learns to adapt.
The company behind the technology has launched a crowdfunding campaign to get the product on the high street. Online shoppers can currently purchase the complete set for £375.
SKIIN has previously released a “smart” underwear range that tracks fitness levels.
Sensors woven into the undergarments track heart rate, temperature, pressure, and motion, as well as body fat and hydration levels. These sensors send the data to a smartphone app, similar to top and leggings of the SKIINCore suit.
SKIIN isn’t the only company to create such technology. Boston-based start-up company Ministry of Supply has also designed a self-heating smart jacket that is able to respond to changes in temperature.
Like SKIIN’s product, the Mercury jacket comes with an app so users can input their preferences. The jacket also uses artificial intelligence to learn how best to change temperature over time.
Designs for “smart” clothing that react to the wearer have become increasingly popular over recent years. Pauline Van Dongen, a Dutch designer, helped pioneer smart clothing after launching clothes with integrated solar panels in 2013.
Related Topics
