WearTec

MacGyver (what do you mean you don’t know the TV series MacGyver??) has used it in every episode to free himself, to construct wonderful weapons or defence devices or generally to safe himself and the world. I’m talking of course about the world famous Victorinox Swiss Army Knife.

Already available in a large range of sizes (i.e. more or less integrated tools), including USB flash memory, the latest version of the army knife is now equipped with an audio player, FM radio and voice recorder. Developed by Swissbit the knife has a storage capacity of up to 4 gigabytes and can handle MP3, WMA, WAV and OGG Vorbis audio files.
The knife also features a cool equalizer display and an even cooler remote control shaped like the well known Victorinox symbol.

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Apple and Nike call it “the ultimate synthesis of sport and music”. The initial system consists of a pair of Nike+ shoes, an Ipod Nano and the Nike+Ipod Sport Kit.

The Nike+Ipod Sport Kit is equipped with a sensor and a wireless receiver that fits into an especially designed compartment in a Nike+ shoe. The sensor then records data, such as distance travelled, pace and burned calories and transmits it to the Ipod, where the information can be read out to you over the earphones, displayed on the screen or saved for later download and statistical analysis on a computer.

Apart from the Sport Kit, Nike and Apple are planning to develop a range of other products that integrate the Ipod, such as sports clothes and jackets.

More details on the Nike+Ipod Sport Kit can be found at the Apple website.

And yes, I know this has been all over the news already, but I’ve been away for the last week. Posts in the Weartec blog will be more up to date again from now on.

[images courtesy of Apple]

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A piece of real wearable technology or just a publicity stunt? CBS4 reports
Researchers have published a study in the online edition of the journal ‘Science’ that supposedly describes how to construct a wearable device that can redirect light in any direction rather than reflecting it or casting a shadow. Scientists say that the study “presents a solid case for making invisibility an attainable goal.” If the light is redirected the right way it would give spectators the illusion of the seeing what’s behind the device, making the device (and its wearer) effectively invisible. While such a device does not exist yet, it is estimated that one could be constructed within the next 18 months.

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Okay, not necessarily vodka powered, but methanol powered artificial muscles could definitely for medical applications one day.
According to an article in The New Scientist, researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas, are working on two types of artificial muscles that could be used to create artificial limbs and prosthetics. Both types are powered by methanol and act as a fuel cell, creating forces up to 100 times stronger than human muscles.

These fuel powered muscles are more likely to become reality than electricity powered muscles because high voltage inside the human body is an issue. One of the researchers jokes: “One day you could find yourself sitting in a bar next to a humanoid robot, who is taking a shot of vodka to give himself the energy to go to work”

[via Igargoyle]

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Koyono have released a range of new waterproof, Ipod ready jackets and coats that have integrated fabric controls to remotely control your ipod, while it is safely tucked away in a specifically designed pocket. The controls that they use have been developed by ElekTex, the same company that is producing the roll up fabric keyboard I’ve reported on earlier.

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Here’s one out of the “wearable technology we don’t need” category. Ever wanted to wear comfortable sneakers but stuck with high heeled shoes and achy feet because of the sexy clicking noise the stilettos make when walking on a hard surface? Now you could have both, with the ClickSneaks presented by Studio 5050.

They explain on their website:
“For the ClickSneaks the sound of the inspirational high heels has been recorded, only to be activated on each step the revamped sneakers take. Surface mount technology makes it possible to fit the necessary components in the sneakers: the original “click” sound is recorded on a voice chip, while a speaker, amplifier and an accelerometer acting as a “switch”, transform these seemingly normal sneakers into a flighty performance.”

Imagine the possiblities… police officers’ shoes with inbuilt siren noise, breaking the silence with each step they take when chasing bad guy…

The ClickSneaks were also on display at the recent FutureFashion show in Pisa.

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Whenever I witness a jockey falling of his horse during a race I have cold shivers running down my spine, wondering whether he will be lucky enough to escape the horses’ hoofs and not get trampled to death.
The following product offered by Mr.Trailer could significantly increased a jockey’s chance to escape serious injury after a fall: the Hit Air body protection air bag. According to the website, “these air bag vests and jackets are designed to protect a horseback or motorcycle rider’s neck, spine, rib cage and vital organs in case of a fall or crash.” The Hit Air is connected to the horse via a wire, which would set off the pressurized air cartridge in the vest in case of a fall. And in case you haven’t had enough after surviving your first fall, the vest is even reusable - simply put in a new air cartridge.

Note: The top picture shows the airbags inflated, the bottom one deflated.

[via Gizmodo]

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RemoBeads is a design study of a new form of remote control, created by a Russian company called PlusMinus. The remote control would work by pressing the beads, which are supposed to glow in the dark. Why is this in a wearable technology blog you ask? When I saw the picture of the Remobeads they reminded me of a bracelet or rosary, which are both wearable. And if this design study ever makes it to the electronic stores who is to say that you wouldn’t wear it around your wrist?

[via Home Theater Blog]

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Sometimes I’m amazed to find a wearable technology device that has been developed years ago, yet seems to be right up to date with current developments. The Compass Coat was developed by Stijn Ossevoort in 2002 as part of the “Wearable Dreams” research project for the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea.
From the research paper: “The coat contains 24 sections [the funny looking plant like shapes on the coat] that can light up individually, using EL wires […]. The section that points north lights up while its surrounding sections glow dimly. As soon as the person turns, the light will gradually move onto the new section that points north, presenting the direction in a very natural analogue form. In this way the coat provides a sense of direction as opposed to a perfectly sharp digital reading.”

[via we make money not art]

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Tiny cameras the size of a multivitamin capsule could soon replace the traditional endoscopy Portfolio Weekly reports.

The PillCam is equipped with not one but two miniature color video cameras as well as a light source. Instead of performing an endoscopy where a fibre optic tube is pushed down the throat the PillCam is simply swallowed and video information is then transmitted using a wireless connection, streaming 14 images per second.

Compared to a traditional endoscopy the PillCam offers significant advantages:

• fasting period before the procedure is reduced from 8 hours to 2
• virtually no recovery time after the procedure because no anesthetics are needed
• no irritation in the throat usually caused by the optic fibre tube

Earlier versions of the PillCam have been used since 2001, originally only streaming 2 pictures per second and the image recording process taking up to 8 hours. Whilst the latest generation of the PillCam features vastly improved performance, with the image quality equalling that of an endoscopy, there are still cases where the traditional endoscopy cannot be replaced, for example when a biopsy sample needs to be taken. Future generations of PillCams could however very well address these shortcomings and fully replace an endoscopy.

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