We’ve talked about the definition, the strengths and weaknesses, and what smart textiles mean for innovation in health tech. Now let’s give you the examples, introducing you to some of the most exciting new products to come out under the smart textiles label in 2023 (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/7-must-know-smart-textile-products-for-2023/).
Remember, smart textiles have tech integrated into their very fabric. Compression garments may be one example. They can keep track of everything from hydration to temperature while also stimulating your blood flow and circulation, staving off fatigue, and even improving recovery rates. This makes them particularly popular with athletes.
One of the simplest kinds of smart textile with huge potential to improve your health is the wristband. A UV-sensitive one can tell you when the rays reach dangerous levels much more accurately than just looking at the sun. If you’re out on the beach and want to avoid skin cancer, they’re a sensible choice.
You might think heart rate monitoring requires an external device that you stick on yourself, but scientists have found a more convenient way. You put on your sports bra or your shirt and it’s right there as part of the garment. It’s real-time monitoring in a non-intrusive fashion, and it’s perfect for anyone who’s worried about an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems. You can even have results connected to your phone. If you’re a swimmer, your smart swimwear may combine heart rate monitoring with other features, such as timing your lengths or counting your strokes.
Other smart shirts are those used to monitor your posture and maybe nudge you into sitting or standing a bit more upright. That could help you avoid back pain and other problems, especially if you’re in a job that involves hunching over a computer all day.
Another way that smart textiles can make life more convenient? Helping regulate your temperature. Perhaps you live somewhere cold but you don’t want to have to bulk up with all those heavy layers. Perhaps it’s a particularly hot summer and you’re struggling to cool down. Perhaps you have a medical condition that impacts your temperature regulation. Smart textiles can bring you comfort and help you sleep, and temperature regulation is just one of the features of smart nightwear, which is designed to reduce stress.
This is just a small glimpse at where smart textiles could be going.
