The conference focused on smart fabrics and their evolution, challenges, and opportunities. Key topics discussed included the importance of the smartphone revolution for the industry, sustainable innovation in products like Nike Flyknit, and new technologies for heat generation, lighting, and integration of electronics into fabrics. Experts saw opportunities in health, fitness, and connecting smart fabrics to smartphones.

1. Smart Fabrics 2012: sports conference analysis
By Anne Prahl, WGSN, 03 May 2012
This conference in Miami focused on the evolution, challenges and opportunities of smart
fabrics.
Contact
www.smartfabricsconference.com
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trend analysis
28 February 2012
Technology is shaking up the
sports industry with innovation
focusing on lifestyle, training,
health and wellbeing. The
Wearable Technologies
Conference in Munich recently
was the tip of the iceberg with
major developments across all
sports on an on-going basis.
Overview
©WGSN 2012

2. Rusty Wired Series hooded fleece with headphone drawcords
TAKEAWAYS
Smart fabrics & wearable
technology companies
need to embrace the
revolution of smartphones
& wearable technology
Tech innovation is an
essential tool to drive
business forward &
differentiate brands
Considered and suitable
integration methods play
an important role in
making smart fabrics &
wearable technologies
body-friendly
There is huge potential for
commercial development
in the fitness, health and
wellbeing markets, driven
by growing consumer
interest in analysing data
Makers & the DIY
community are the early
adopters & are a strong
indicater of future
consumer needs
Nike HTM Flyknit Foster Rohner conductive embroidery for heat generation
©WGSN 2012

3. Market trends
Experts observe a strong feeling of confidence in the current market due to an increasing number
of investors believing in the growth potential of smart fabrics and wearable technologies.
Innovation
Applications for music, entertainment and remote control have failed to go mainstream yet; innovative
products and applications that can be trademarked, such as the Rusty Wired headphone drawcords,
are a way to develop success
Rusty Wired Series hooded fleece with headphone drawcords
INDUSTRY IS AT A CRITICAL
POINT, FULL OF GENUINE
OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE AT THE
VERGE OF SOMETHING."
Michael Corbett, WEEL
Technologies
Electronic Textile Interface Swatch Book
(ESwatchBook) developed at Georgia Tech
Shelter Systems geodesic style tent prototype developed for The North Face Revolutionary Nike Waffle sole innovation
©WGSN 2012

4. Believing there is an untapped market, Georgia Tech’s ESwatchBook is aimed at Fashion designers
to demonstrate the beauty and versatility of conductive textiles to a broader audience
Nike prides itself on a history of innovation, from the famous waffle sole invented in the 70s to
contemporary fabrics that change structure when they come into contact with sweat
Hap Klopp, chairman of Cocona Fabric, believes that effective innovation is a combination of invention
and commercialisation, citing The North Face’s geodesic tents as a good example of commercially
successful new technology
Innovation is an opportunity to differentiate your brand
Smartphone
One of the key messages at the Wearable Technology conference in Munich earlier this year, the
smartphone revolution is of pivotal importance to the smart fabrics and wearable electronics market
Stacey Burr from adidas believes that although the industry does not seem to have anticipated this
revolution, there are great opportunities to tap into smartphones as controllers and interface devices
The toy industry is already tapping into and commercialising this relationship, with products such as
remote control cars that work with users' existing iPhones, iPod Touches or iPads being launched
The concept of the human body as a computer controller is already being explored in visionary projects
such as Japanese researcher Kei Nakatsuma’s multi-touch computer controller, as shown at the 2011
Smartphone revolution Human Body as Multi-touch Computer Controller
iPhone Controlled Monster Truck (iPad, iPod Touch) iBGStar glucose monitor attaches to an iPhone or iPod Touch
©WGSN 2012

5. SIGGRAPH interactive technology conference in Vancouver
In the medical sector, the iBGStar glucose monitor allows diabetics to check their blood sugar levels at
any time by attaching the device to an iPhone or iPod Touch
Sustainability
Patrick Williams from Nike makes it clear that companies have a responsibility to drive innovation for
sustainability, explaining that every new challenge creates a new, exciting solution
As part of its Better World ethos, Nike has embeded sustainable innovation in every aspect of its
production process, resulting in groundbreaking products such as Nike Flyknit, which reduces waste
through processes like DyeCoo waterless dyeing
Nike football kits utilising recycled PET plastic bottles M. Patmos utilising the zero-waste seam-free
Wholegarment Sheima Seiki technology
Nike trainers utilising waterless DyeCoo dyeing technology Alternative to petroleum-based materials: CaCO3
inorganic filler
©WGSN 2012

6. Drexel University's Genevieve Dion points out the importance of utilising sustainable, customisable
manufacturing methods, such as the Wholegarment knitwear invented by Shima Seiki
Designer Marcia Patmos is using this method in her spring/summer 2012 collection, in order to save
waste by creating a single, seamless garment with no need for post-production finishing
Cardinal Health works with sustainable sources such as bio-based foam, fibres, fillers and nanofibres
in a proactive move to overcome hurdles such as the high cost of new technologies, maintenance of
performance properties and clinical and market acceptance
©WGSN 2012

7. Technologies
Light continues to be a strong focus, with companies exploring new applications as well as
rethinking existing ones. Heat technologies use both invisible and conspicuous solutions,
making heated garments more attractive to a broader consumer base.
Heat
Products like heated snowboard gloves and layering garments are already popular in the snowsports
market, though many experts agree that until battery technology becomes cheaper and longer-lasting,
the market will not go mainstream
According to Steve Leftly of Fibretronic Limited, the recent technology evolution is making it possible to
make technologies invisible, leading to products such as the HEATwear system, which utilises wireless
controls and form-fitting, lightweight and easy-charge batteries suitable for soft goods including jackets,
vests, baselayers and other textile items
Forster Rohner AG has supplied embroideries to the fashion industry for many decades and has
Burton's Mix Master gloves with wireless remote SEFAR PowerHeat used in heated head rest
Rip Curl Heated vest utilising Fibretronic HEATwear system Forster Rohner conductive, heat-generating embroidery
©WGSN 2012

8. recently started to focus on electronic textiles, launching its "e-Broidery" embroidery systems for
conductive materials
Sefar's PowerHeat fabric is extremely light and air-permeable and is utilised for heating fabrics in the
automotive, healthcare and home textile industries
Light
The success of LED textiles in the kids' footwear market has lead some to speculate that this
technology is unlikely to find mainstream appeal in the adult market; however we are still seeing
exciting new product launches, such as the Solebox x Reebok Omni Zone Pump
For clothing, the main challenge remains washability, although products like ElastoLite offer
electroluminescent lamp technology that is highly soft and flexible and machine-washable and dryable
Solebox x Reebok Omni Zone Pump with LEDs ElastoLite textile lighting technology
LED equipped ‘CO2 monitor textile with Forster Rohner AG conductive embroidery LED textile by Philips and Kvadrat Soft Cells
©WGSN 2012

9. A good example of rethinking a technology that did not work for one application but works extremely
well in another, is Philips' textile LED technology, which started off as Lumalive in 2005 but failed to
succeed in the market. The technology has now inspired the Philips and Kvadrat Soft Cells LED
luminous and sound-proof textile wallpaper
Pollution monitoring textiles such as the Diffus Climate Dress and Sensing Tex’s air quality cushions
illustrate the potential of LED technology for much more than simply decorative purposes
Integration
The need to design electronics around bodies explains the explosion of circuit products that can
stretch and bend
Neltex fabric-based circuit technology Stretchable Printed Circuits Forster Rohner conductive embroidery
PASTA Integration concept Conductive yarn for knitting
©WGSN 2012

10. Neltex is a smart fabric and interactive textile (SFIT) circuit that can turn conventional fabrics into
heaters, circuit boards, sensors and switches, and can be added to the garment by sewing, lamination
or with fasteners, while remaining highly breathable and flexible
Express Circuits Limited has recently pioneered the production of Stretchable Printed Circuits, a new
form of interconnect using a stretchable substrate, aimed at applications across the sports, clothing,
medical, automotive and defence industries
Conductive, heat-generating embroidery by Forster Rohner AG aims to keep the carrier fabric soft and
flexible, while providing both decorative and functional performance
The EU-funded PASTA project focuses on making electronic packages conformable to the properties
of textiles, aiming to produce comfortable smart textiles that can be manufactured in high-volume for
applications such as high visibility sports shirts and humidity-detecting hospital bedsheets
Geneviève Dion from Drexel University is working with the computerised Shima Seiki knitting machine,
focusing on the design, testing and implementation of smart garments for health and safety using
conductive yarn and knitting technology
©WGSN 2012

11. Applications
The need to combat disease related to physical inactivity andpoor lifestyle choices, as well as an
increasing demand for improved quality of life, are driving application development in the
medical, personal fitness and wellbeing industries.
As the consumer moves into the driving seat, demanding tailor-made and customised product, DIY and
communal design become more popular.
Medical
Drexel university’s Prescription Manufacture investigates customised manufacturing of wearable
Cardinal Health SmartGown™ BodiTrak Smart Seat pressure mapping Cardinal Health SmartSeal surgical mask
Cardinal Health SmartGown fabric detail Context contactless sensors for sportswear
©WGSN 2012

12. technology for the medical industry, in order to increase patient safety and comfort in an age where the
older generations may be willing to wear electronics to be able to stay at home rather than going into a
care home
Cardinal Health’s gown and mask utilise smart materials in order to ensure compliance and support
good practice in a critical hospital environment; its wish list for future smart fabrics includes self-
cleaning and self-sterilisation materials, detection of and self-sealing of any product breach and
compostable and "reposable" green materials
Pressure-sensing and pressure-mapping healthcare solutions are able to monitor respiration and other
body metrics in real time, with elastic sensors embedded in beds and seats or worn in shirts or socks
The Context project aims to develop contactless sensors integrated into textiles to enable continuous
monitoring of muscle and heart electric signals, which could have interesting applications for sports
Fitness & wellbeing
Garmin Premium Heart Rate Monitor with soft strap PureLime: Maximum Control Wire-free Sports Bra - Compatible with Heart Rate
Monitor
©WGSN 2012

13. Biometrics are already popular with athletes and have big potential in the wellness, weight-loss and
health markets
Clothing+ is a pioneer in the heart rate monitor market and has recently started producing sports
underwear with integrated sensors, such as the PureLime HRM bra, launched last year
The market for fitness, health and wellbeing apps and devices is exploding, offering consumers
encouragement, motivation and advice on active prevention by providing and analysing personal
health data
This "Quantified Self" trend sees data such as calories, activity, alcohol consumption, sleep patterns
and blood pressure being measured, and although currently seen as more of an early-adopter trend, it
is poised to go mainstream in the very near future
DIY and co-design
Withings iPhone blood pressure cuff ‘Quantified Self’ digital human
©WGSN 2012

14. The desire for customised product is driving the trend of DIY and co-designed product, as more
companies provide platforms for mass-customisation and co-creation or offer access to components
and tutorials
Spark Fun supports makers by providing components, inspiration and education, teaching in the
classroom and online via inspiring tutorials, as well as sourcing new and necessary smart textile
products to bring to the community
Using specialised design software, Nervous System provides the consumer with algorithms to create
personalised 3D-printed jewellery, while designer Mary Huang wants to provide a web service that lets
consumers design dresses to suit personal preferences and measurements
Coded :: Fashion meanwhile has introduced the concept of "pret-a-faire" (ready to make), where the
consumer can choose from three levels of co-creation according to their skills and creativity
“Cell Cycle” iPad App customised jewellery Sparkfun ProtoSnap
Faceted Fashion, D dress by Continuum 2 Coded :: Fashion computer application for ready-to-
make garments
©WGSN 2012