wearable computing

www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_rheingold120402.asp

Clothes Make the Network By Howard RheingoldÊÊÊ December 4, 2002

Wearable computers create ad-hoc wireless communities. Gerd Kortuem likes a catchy tune, but considers himself clueless when it comes to seeking out new music. However, instead of asking his friends what they are listening to, his iPAQ PocketPC does it for him.

SMART CONNECTIONS illustrates some of the work that Philips Design has been carrying out in this direction, moving from Ambient Intelligence to Ambient Culture. www.design.philips.com/smartconnections/newnomads/index.html

MIT Wearable computing hopes to shatter this myth of how a computer should be used. www.media.mit.edu/wearables/

www.tactex.com/prodMTC.htm

///////////////////////////////////////

Textile Keyboard

Wearable keyboard within a garment: www.softswitch.co.uk SOFTswitchToysandMusic.html contact info@softswitch.co.uk The key to producing something may be to combine the technology available above with a controller project mentioned before.

PIC Controller based MIDI capability: www.parallaxinc.com

contact sales@parallaxinc.com

These are simple kits to build microcontroller units. They also sell RF (radio frequency) modules for remote control of the devices.

These wireless controllers are not "Wireless" compatible, such as Consume, but are more like the type found in use with remote control aircraft etc.

I am having trouble locating something that could be utilised as a display unit (the concept of an organic T-Shirt) but I will keep looking.

It appears that the only LCD type displays are very rigid and may not lend well to use in clothing.

Perhaps some form of LED matrix interwoven into a fabric? The only trouble with LED's is their power consumption though.