Smart fabrics create wearable electronics

New smart fabrics are opening the door to a whole new range of "soft" products particularly in the consumer electronics and wearables markets.

The new H2 series from O'Neill Europe represents the next generation of wearable electronics.

The H2 series consists of three technologically advanced items of snow-ware: the world's first integrated solar backpack with communication and entertainment functionalities, an entertainment backpack, and the second-generation communication and entertainment jacket (formerly known as the HUB).

All products have been enabled using Eleksen's groundbreaking intelligent and interactive fabric switching technology.

New smart fabrics are opening the door to a whole new range of "soft" products particularly in the consumer electronics and wearables markets.

As both the sensor and interconnectivity are fabric, they eliminate the need for external hard components.

The market is coming of age and market research firm VDC expects the technology to generate more than half a billion US dollars in revenues by 2008 - so it's a truly exciting time for the industry.

Robin Shephard, CEO, Eleksen comments: "The launch of these products strengthens our position as the leading provider of ready to integrate smart fabric solutions".

"Based on our core technology, ElekTex, we have developed fabric solutions that can be integrated quickly and easily into our customers existing and future applications".

"Our vision is to provide a more instinctive soft interface between customers and the technology that empowers them and we are delighted to be working with O'Neill to make our vision a reality".

Ben Kunst, CIO O'Neill Europe, commented: "ElekTex was the only choice for O'Neill in developing its range of technologically advanced snow apparel".

"The fact that it is 100% fabric makes it comfortable to wear, washable and easily integrated".

"What's more, the unique nature of the technology makes it sensitive to touch and allowed us to develop a much more sophisticated range of controls".

The solar communication and entertainment backpack incorporates two flexible solar panels and a Bluetooth module.

In optimum light conditions the solar cells provide charge to the user's iPod, mobile phone and Bluetooth module via a USB recharging system.

Power from the solar cells travels through conductive ElekTex fabric layers within the backpack, to the fully integrated communications and entertainment systems.

The smart technology can also identify which appliance is in most need of the extra power and allocate the charge accordingly.

For hands-free calling, a microphone is built-in to the left shoulder strap and a universal headphone is incorporated in the chest pocket.

When users receive a call on their mobile the iPod transmission is automatically interrupted; pausing the music until the call is finished.

The Bluetooth module also allows for voice recognition dialling.

The iPod and Bluetooth module is safely stored in a discreet protective and water resistant casing in the back of the pack.

Once installed the iPod can be controlled via an ElekTex fabric control panel located on the pack's left shoulder strap.

This means that users can control volume, skip and pause tracks just by touching their straps.

The entertainment backpack includes integrated iPod controls on the pack's left shoulder strap, which makes tune selection on the go hassle free.

The second-generation communication and entertainment jacket is well equipped with additional features that heighten its performance.

The jacket features conductive fabric touch pad technology, which transforms the sleeve into an electronic control panel - allowing the wearer to play, pause and skip tracks simply by touching the control buttons on their arm.

The discreet Bluetooth module stationed in the chest pocket and the microphone in the jackets collar allows for hands free calling.

All products in the O'Neill H2 series have been developed for use in conjunction with Apple's iPod MP3 player.

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