Introduction (about Electronic textile)
Electronic textiles, also known as smart garments, smart clothing, smart textiles, or smart fabrics, are fabrics that enable digital components such as a battery and a light (including small computers), and electronics to be embedded in them. Pailes-Friedman of the Pratt Institute states that "what makes smart fabrics revolutionary is that they have the ability to do many things that traditional fabrics cannot, including communicate, transform, conduct energy and even grow". (Gaddis, Rebecca
"What Is The Future Of Fabric? These Smart Textiles Will Blow Your Mind".
Forbes.
Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved 2015-10-16.)
A new report from Cientifica Research examines the markets for textile-based wearable technologies, the companies producing them and the enabling technologies. The report identifies three distinct generations of textile wearable technologies:
1. "First generation" attach a sensor to apparel. This approach is currently taken by sportswear brands such as Adidas, Nike and Under Armour
2. "Second generation" products embed the sensor in the garment, as demonstrated by current products from Samsung, Alphabet, Ralph Lauren and Flex.
3. In "third generation" wearables, the garment is the sensor. A growing number of companies are creating pressure, strain and temperature sensors for this purpose.
Future applications for e-textiles may be developed for sports and well-being products, and medical devices for patient monitoring. Technical textiles, fashion and entertainment will also be significant applications.
Keyword
"Electronic textile"