A study on the development of a user-focused multi-functional convergence-smart-fashion product

Abstract

Keywords:Convergence between fashion design and engineering Electronic-fashion Multi-functional fashion Smart-fashion Wearable technology Engineering Electrical engineering Art Performing arts A B S T R A C TThe attempts of combining fashion and technology together to provide digital functionalities at the closest distance users has been continued based on context-aware computing and wearable sensing. Through such convergence, the productive benefits of user-oriented computing and the expansion of traditional fashion functionality can be achieved. In this study, we aim to investigate the optimized way for the development of convergence-smart-fashion prototypes that provide user-oriented multi-functionality to increase the potential features of fashion and widen the application scope of related technologies. Through research and development (R&D), we developed four convergence prototypes which could provide four different functions: 1) Reardetection, which detects vehicles or people approaching from rear-side and warns the user through vibrations. 2) Bluetooth hands-free provides remote-control functions, such as phone-call and sound-streaming. 3) Vitalsignal monitoring, which measures and displays user's heart-beat rates and body heat through a built-in-screen and smartphone application for a user's health-care. The development was proceeded based on the following steps: the determination of the basic usability as a garment and its related practical digital functions, the minimization of the size of the system modules which could be easily assembled and disassembled to ease washability, and the system maintenance, which could help to diversify the usage of convergence fashion.

Developing a smart multifunctional outdoor jacket with wearable sensing technology for user health and safety

“…A jacket was chosen based on the following advantages: its proximity to vital body parts such as the writs and the heart, the convenient manipulation of the system's digital interfaces, and the ease of equipping sensors and devices for data collection. Moreover, these sensors are directly exposed to external stimuli to recognize the wearer's surrounding environment [14,25,52].…”

“…The latest trend in the development of smart wearables consists of integrating small electronic modules into platforms that are otherwise traditional, both in designs and materials, as exemplified by the Nike+ smart running shoes. System modules have their electronic circuits placed inside housings developed using a numeral control milling machine or 3D printing technology and installed into the garment platform so that they can be easily removed and reattached as needed [11,25,40]. This assembly uses significantly fewer wires and cables than traditional electronic products, making them less visually obtrusive while increasing the system components' durability.…”

“…The recent advances in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies will expect wearables and other products based on the convergence between IT and traditional industries to hit the market in increasing numbers and variety [43]. Such a new direction in the IT industry has enormous implications for the fashion industry, and this direction is likely to have a significant impact on its product development strategy, giving it a new role and value [25,26,57]. Compared to other fashion items, clothing has many unique characteristics that make it particularly suitable as a wearable platform.…”

Developing a wearable human activity recognition (WHAR) system for an outdoor jacket

“…Accordingly, the sensing accuracy of changes in the user's motion patterns using the worn clothing as a platform could be high. In addition, using clothes as platforms to provide digital functions made directly attaching additional devices to the body unnecessary and improved wearability (Dunne, 2010; Lee, 2020). It has the scalability to diversify the technology compared to the existing device that is tightened through a strap on a specific body part.…”

Utilization of Gadget Technology as a Learning Media

“…The development of technology contained in gadgets from time to time is so amazing from simple forms to extraordinary forms [5]. Gadgets themselves can describe the sophistication of electronic devices that continue to grow, it can even be said that gadgets are actually multi-functional communication tools [6].…”