Wearable Technology for the Smart Generation

Everyone likes to look smart, but what if your clothes had ‘smart’ technology- features controlled by computers that give your clothes special benefits?

This might sound like science fiction but the technology of wearable computers is developing fast. Now people wear clothes from materials like denim or cotton, and they carry their gadgets like mobile phones or MP3 players. Scientists think that, in the future, clothes and technology will be joined together. In fact, scientists have already developed ‘MP3 jackets’. They are made of special material that can carry an electronic message and they have the controls for the music on one of the sleeves. Other wearable computers that may be available in the future include a video screen that you can wear round your waist as a belt and shoes that can tell your exact location anywhere in the world.

These developments all sound like great fun, but wearable computers can also help people feel more comfortable and be safer. Scientists in Australia and New Zealand have developed ‘smart’ wool. This wool is used in special socks that can be warmed by a small battery. Scientists in the UK have made clothes that will help you cool when you are hot, and warm when you are cold. Also, there is a jacket that lights up. It is ideal for people who cycle at night.

Sport is also included in this world of wearable computers. A special material that is similar to shark skin can help swimmers move through the water. Trainers are available that change the level of support to the foot as the runner moves. Scientists are also developing football shirts with the technology to check a player’s performance. This will give the coach useful information about the player’s ability and also help when developing training programmes.