here comes the smart jacket!

In this smart world, as everything is becoming smart from mobile phones to automobiles to our homes, why not we try to make the clothes that we wear also smart. No needs to try as google and Levi’s have already done it and have come up with Levi’s commuter trucker jacket. The main feature of this jacket is that it is touch sensitive and will respond to our hand actions.  Project Jacquard is the name given to this project which is made collaboratively by google and Levi’s. The head of the project is Ivan Poupyrev.

“This jacket has been specially made for people who commute by 2 wheelers as for them picking up their phone to receive a call during driving is quite difficult.” 

How is the jacket made?

They have made the whole fabric touch sensitive which acts like a touch screen. The whole jacket is made up of threads of cooper wires and also has a battery which lasts up to 2 weeks with USB charging facility. They integrated capacitive threads with a copper core into the denim jacket and then used a tiny Bluetooth dongle that is attached to the button on the sleeve and is detachable also.

This Bluetooth dongle obviously gets connected to the android as well as apple phones and starts functioning. The LED on the dongle lights up when there is an incoming call or message. Jacquard is safe to use in rainy season but is not fully waterproof.

Gadget cum garment

This jacket is washable and acts like a proper cloth. There are 4 gestures through which you can make the jacket work. They are brush in

, brush out

, double tap

and holding your hand on the fabric

. You can lean the whole tutorial from the jacquard app provided.

How does it work?

So when you are travelling on your 2 wheeler and a call comes, you can just swipe in or swipe out on your jacket and you will get audio signals of your call or message without even picking up your phone from your pocket. It is a safer method and will help in curbing accidents.

The jacquard system automatically detects when the jacket is worn by you and when you remove it. When you wear it, it automatically connects to your phone. This jacket allows taking calls and texts from important people only.

Music control and map directions

Jacquard jacket also allows controlling your music while you are listening to it. It has playing & pausing option, next option and previous option.

It also allows saving your home and work address location through google maps. So when you double tap the sleeves of the jacket it will speak to you and guide you with the directions.

The jacket is said to be available by October 2nd in Levi’s stores in USA for a cost of $350.