Unpopular opinion: I thought the 'wearable tech' thing was just a gimmick for a long time.

I saw a designer at a show in Austin last year who had woven fiber optic threads into a jacket that changed color patterns based on sound. It looked like a party trick. Then I saw a video of their follow-up line, where the same tech was used in a subtle, reflective safety vest for cyclists that lights up when a car gets too close. That changed my mind. Has anyone else seen a practical use for tech fabrics that actually works?

2 comments

2 Comments

grace4193d ago

What about using that kind of tech for people who work alone at night? Like a vest for road crews or security guards that could send a bright light signal to a central office if someone falls or gets hurt. It seems like the jump from a party trick to something that keeps people safe is where it gets real.

miller.jason3d ago

Yeah that jump from party trick to keeping people safe is the whole thing. I mean it's like we get all these shiny gadgets first, and the real use comes later when someone thinks to strap it to a vest. It happens with everything, like phones started for calls and now my dad's has a fall detector. Makes you wonder what else is out there just waiting for someone to point it at a real problem.