Kit to design your own bio-feedback clothing
1 October 2008
US company Textronics, Inc., a developer of wearable sensors for
health and fitness monitoring, is offering a developer’s kit that
includes the company’s textile electrodes for use by designers,
researchers and product developers interested in creating their own
interactive wearable prototypes.
The kit contains stretchy textile electrodes that can be cut and sewn
for custom applications. When incorporated into garments or wearable
devices, the fabric sensors offer a comfortable way to monitor the
wearer’s heart rate. The developer’s kit also contains samples of
transmitter modules that are capable of receiving bio-feedback collected
by the sensors.
Textronics' Numetrex heart-sensing sports bra
“We have constant interest from researchers, developers and students
who are looking for innovative material solutions,” said Textronics CEO
Stacey Burr. “We are encouraging the use of our textile electrodes in
new concepts by making them available for purchase in a kit that
includes materials necessary to make a prototype design. It is our goal
to encourage new applications where Textronics can partner in the
development and commercialization for the future.”
Textronics’ patented textile sensors are designed to be worn next to
the body. They are US FDA-approved and capable of capturing ECG-quality
heart rate data from the body. The textile solution offers a comfortable
alternative to adhesive electrodes and metal wristbands commonly used
with ECG instruments. They also are machine washable and reusable.