Google and Levi’s give first glimpse of smart jacket
17/03/2017
The collaboration was announced in May 2016, with Levi’s becoming the first partner on Project Jacquard, which is led by Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) team.
The two companies have now unveiled the Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket with Jacquard. It features a new conductive yarn that has been weaved into denim to create interactive garment surfaces that can be used to control a mobile device.
The jacket has a small touch-sensitive area on the side of the sleeve composed of 15 conductive threads. A Jacquard tag is attached to the cuff like a cufflink; when the patch on the sleeve detects a gesture, the tag sends a signal to the wearer’s phone. This connects to an accompanying smartphone application, which means the wearer can complete a range of actions, including answering calls, controlling music playback and getting directions. Onc e the tag is removed, the garment can be washed like conventional denim.
Google and Levi’s believe the conductive fibres used in the jacket can be weaved into garments using industrial looms and mills. This means the technology could be extended to other garments in the future.
Image courtesy of Levi Strauss & Co.
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