Photonic textiles from Philips open up a wide range of applications in the fields of ambient lighting, communication, and personal health care.
According to Philips’ website:
This has been a research project until end 2005. Starting 2006 it has become a business project, which means that market research; partner search, customized product development and business development are the current focus. We foresee that the first products will come available in 2007. You can think of: furniture, pillows, upholstery, clothing & accessories, bags, toys, curtains, flags, banners and much more. There are no real limits to the size of the Photonic Textiles, our latest sample at this moment is a couch. In our demonstrators we have 16M colours available.
The power consumption depends on the number of LEDs and the displayed content. Applications can work on (rechargeable) batteries and the mains. To give an example the backpack runs 8 hours on 4AA batteries.
The Photonic Textile is driven via a control unit embedded in the application, which can support Wireless and USB. Philips has achieved interactivity by incorporating sensors (such as orientation and pressure sensors) and communications devices (such as Bluetooth, GSM) into the fabric. For instance, using your phone and Bluetooth Technology, real-time messages can be shown on the Photonic textiles.
Video: Philips ‘Lumalive’ photonic textiles:
More info here.
MacDailyNews Note: This is not Apple-related, but we felt it was interesting nonetheless. Imagine a T-shirt or backpack responding to music (or video?) played via an attached iPod.
I live near a nuclear power plant, my clothes have always glowed
Presenting iPamper.
Diapers with gauge on the butt that flashes “FULL” when full.
>cool indeed, but wheres the battery go?>
Don’t ask.
Harry Potter… problem with hypercolor… is that it would show if you were sweating… or show handprints and encouraged boys to put their hand prints on unsuspecting girls’ t-shirts.
As for battery power… hello! built in ipod-dock into your lumilive jeans.
Imagine the possibilities for a bra made out of this stuff!
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Kinda reminds me of the LED Throwies.
MacBill et al
Trust me… this is the future.
Here in Eindhoven Phillips has a development lab that is working on weird and wonderful things.
All very Harry Potterish.
It needs the entrepreneurs now to think of the uses.
T-shirts with silly designs is not it.
I can already imagine hacking someone’s shirt to make a statement.
Wow, the pickup scene at bars will be getting a lot more interesting.
will it work with Visualizer?
MW = material
no shit!
McBill, you are an idiot. Of course there will be literally thousands of practical applications for this technology. Do you not have a brain? Fool. Someone like you told me, back in 1997, that the internet would never take off too.
Finally – a Mac I can wear in the rain.
The next generation of Fireworks!!! =D Oh the limitless possibilities… =P
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The next generation of Fireworks!!! Oh the limitless possibilities… =P
I can just see an iPod hooked up to your t-shirt….. wow!