Intelligent Clothing - a Challenge for Textile Technology

Abstract

A survey of developments in the field of intelligent clothing is given, particularly the purpose and possibilities of incorporating WPCs with outer units, HUD screens, WAP GSM mobile phones, GPS receivers, CD and MP3 players, SOS transponders, sensors and other electronic devices into articles of clothing. Development of nanotechnology is described, nano sensors in particular, as well as other types of sensors for measuring parameters and changes in environment of the article of clothing, as the data to be forwarded to the WPC to be assessed and the article of clothing adapted to the new conditions, which is in effect a description of intelligent attributes of clothing. Expected development is presented in the field of fibre, yarn and fabric engineering to be used in the manufacture of intelligent clothing, and due attention is also given to connecting it to various networks, permanent links and giving directions to office, home and car devices via Internet. Possible further development trends associated with intelligent clothing manufacture are suggested, as related to the necessary transformation of textile and garment industries into high-technology branches.