Researchers at the University of
Washington are trying to simplify so-called smart fabrics by focusing on
magnetized textiles that can store small amounts of data readable by a magnetometer, including the ones inside most smartphones. It’s potentially useful for invisibly labeling your stuff, or using a shirt or bracelet in place of a password or key card. The researchers also used magnetized thread embroidered into gloves as a gesture controller for the phone, without need for any electronics or batteries on the fabric itself. A
paper on the project was presented this month at a conference on
human-computer interfaces in Quebec City, Canada.
Connected fabrics and clothing have been around for many years, touted by artists, startups, and, in some cases, large companies (see Google’s
Project Jacquard and its
partnership with Levi’s). They still haven’t caught on with most consumers, though, for a variety of reasons, ranging from high prices for limited functionality to concerns about durability (since, presumably, you’d like to eventually throw even a connected garment in the wash).
