ITRI's smart washable clothing line monitors health

iSmartweaR can measure physiological signals such as heartbeat and respiratory rate for monitoring the user's physical activity, sleep quality and emotional state, according to the ITRI website. The nanosecond pulsed near-field sensing (NPNS) technology incorporated into the smart clothing line measures the wearer's pulse and transmits the pulse signals with amplitudes to detect heartbeats and other physiological signals. The NPNS sensing modules are more comfortable because the wearer does not feel restricted or pressured by the clothing.

ITRI combined NPNS technology with washable adhesive characteristics, which can replace existing smart clothing using ECG signal sensing measurement information, solving current uncomfortable, hard, and tight conditions.

“ITRI's smart clothing technology uses a single antenna radar sensing design that can simultaneously detect human heartbeats, breathing rates, and other activity levels all without causing any discomfort for the user. Utilizing low-power microwave technology, iSmartweaR does not have direct contact with the skin, thus causing no direct pressure on the wearer's body,” says the ITRI website.

iSmartweaR can help prevent sudden death in infants by tracking their physiological parameters. It also analyses the user's average health data and warns of abnormal fatigue levels. The smart garment can be used in sports training for individuals, long-term data analysis for senior citizen healthcare and health monitoring for professionals such as police and fire-fighters.

The smart garment breaks the mould of traditionally uncomfortable smart clothing that has poor heat dissipation, poor durability and lower sensor sensitivity. Its features include comfort, radio transmission of information, communications with mobile phones and tablets (Bluetooth 4.0) and real-time data transmission and analysis. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India