FuelWear: smart heated clothes won't keep you cold

Smart clothes, that is, clothes with any sensors and sensors, now you will not surprise anyone. Not so long ago even smart shoes appeared, which allows you to understand where you are now.

However, there are not so many really useful projects in the world of clothes and shoes. However, there are such projects. For example, FuelWear sweatshirt. FuelWear has heaters, there is a temperature sensor and a battery that supplies the entire system with energy.
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FuelWear Design

In general, the appearance of this sweatshirt is unremarkable - quite ordinary clothes of black color. The material of the sweatshirt is not quite usual - it is not synthetic, as it may seem, but the material of natural origin is bamboo fiber. They say clothing made from such fibers is very comfortable.

Now the developers have a ready-made prototype of a men's sweatshirt (shown in the video), and the women's one will be prepared along with Canadian sportswear manufacturer Gruven.

FuelWear functionality

By itself, FuelWear is not very thick, so without heating here is indispensable. Indeed, there are two heating elements on the front (flexible, very thin, not felt when worn), and there is also a heating element on the lumbar part.

For heating, you need energy that is stored in a small battery (so far the capacity has not been announced). In one case with the battery is placed and the temperature sensor, as well as the control system. The device is small in size, it has a small pocket in the front. This module is connected by wire (the connection process is shown in the video).

It is worth noting that FuelWear can be machine-washed, like any other clothing. Only the battery must first be removed.

Temperature control

The system is configured to automatically adjust the heating temperature of the elements. The colder - the higher the temperature (up to a certain limit), the warmer - the lower the heating temperature. If you go into a warm room, the system automatically turns off.



As for the battery life, when heated to 10 degrees (above body temperature) the battery lasts for 3 hours. When the temperature rises by 5 degrees (above body temperature), the battery lasts for 6 hours. And finally, when heated at 2.5 degrees, the charge lasts for 12 hours.

The control module has a charge indicator, so you can always see how low the battery is.

Who are the developers?

FuelWear is developed by a team of the University of Toronto and Hatchery (the latter are engaged in promoting the project).

Price

Now the developers are raising funds for Indiegogo, but they have already raised 2.5 times more than planned, so the campaign can be called successful.

The cost of one copy of FuelWear will be $ 250, the sweatshirt will go on sale in December 2014.