Computers Sewn Into Life's Fabric
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04. 9.08
We have covered Leah Beuchley's turn signal jacket for cylists; the New York Times covers the subject of the integration of clothing and computers and includes her LilyPad Arduino, "a small flower-shaped disk with a computer chip at the center, which can be sewn into clothes. Sensors like accelerometers, for measuring acceleration or detecting and measuring vibrations, and light detectors are attached with wires to the “petals,” so the chip can track the wearer’s motion." The article notes that "While there are many opportunities for fun, Dr. Buechley said the real market could be devices to help the elderly. She is exploring how to knit clothes that monitor a person’s heart rate, breathing and joint movement." ::New York Times, complete with ::photo essay by Kevin Moloney
