Softwear, Really: Garments Are Becoming Digital Computers
There was a time not too long ago when the thought of a computerized shirt able to transmit information like heart health, body temperature and stress index seemed like science fiction. The idea digital fabric could change design, automatically lifting or lowering hems, light up at night, change with the weather and interface with other clothes was a futuristic concept. Computer technology continues to evolve, advanced by new materials and size reduction of components. Someday soon a man may walk into a Long Island computer repair shop and ask if anyone can fix his pants. Someday a Long Island computer might be a desk top, a hand held or a pair of boxer shorts. Flexible light weight materials|Light and pliable resources} are bringing a new meaning to the term soft ware.
In the recent past there has been the introduction of metallic yarn, fiber that has conductive qualities, leading to the development of digital fabric. This fabric can be used to design clothing that can operate as wearable computers. With the introduction of nano technology and flexible circuitry institutions and companies have begun exploring the possibility of introducing capabilities into the clothing we wear. The possibilities are endless and computerized clothes are already being made.
Envision a shirt that can log and broadcast vital signs, location and mobility. If a person has heart trouble, the shirt could function like a digital caretaker, monitoring the heart and even administering medication. A shirt could keep track of the heart beat, its rhythm, strength and consistency. If an issue arises it could send out a wireless signal to a practitioner who would be able to follow up with a call or maybe a text message to the sleeve. A sensor could inform an implanted medical capsule to administer a dose of medicine for the patient. Or perhaps the clothing can send an early warning alarm if the persons pulse is showing troubling signs, like maybe the buttons could start glowing red.
An athlete may wear a track suit that can record his strides, heartbeats, muscle contractions and various other bits of information that can benefit his or her training. Shoes can log the mileage and number of steps. They could even be designed to adjust to various terrain or demand. Wireless signals could be transmitted so an athlete in one part of the country could share a workout with an athlete in another part of the country. Perhaps someday clothes will be able to scan their environment and project them on the fiber making for the ultimate camouflage. Currently there are musical jackets and clothes that can light up and change color as the wearer moves.
Computer wear is coming. It will have many uses from entertainment and fashion, to health and defense. Cyberwear clothing is not fantasy. It’s uses are limited only by our ability to dream. Technology is advancing rapidly enough to make nearly any computer fashion dream a reality.
