Clevertex - Grado Zero Espace Srl

purchase to be recorded at the level of the individual product and monitored until switched off at the
cash desk. Further, an integrated EAS (electronic article surveillance) function sets off an alarm if the
product should be stolen or enables tracking. When incorporated in technical textiles the ‘Textag’
facilitates a number of applications such as source protection (copyright protection) or the storage of
security-specific data [85].
The next examples of wearable technologies not only use the body, but also the space through which
a body moves. Therefore, it is the space in which the interactive aspect occurs. The projects issue at
the development of technology and the social implications.
In the framework of the Swedish programme “IT+Textiles” coined by the Interactive Institute in
Sweden, the project ‘Reach: Wearable Patterns’ was established which focuses on wearable
technology, on the one hand as one-to-one communication, and on the other hand for reflecting
personal expressions, environmental change and social constructs. For this purpose, it investigates
the potential for communication and expression incorporated dynamically and interactively into things
we wear everyday, like clothing and accessories. The prototypes they develop include hats, a bag and
a scarf. The so-called ‘Reach out hats’ share textile patterns or music when two or more people
wearing this hat are in close proximity with one another. The closer one gets to the other, the more the
visual or sonic pattern ‘bleeds’ or is shared and experienced with another person. Therefore, the hats
explore distances between people in public space. The intention of the hats is to redraw the distances
between people, to promote contact and to investigate human perception of space, pattern and sound
in relation to others in the environment. In the picture below, an example of a pair of Reach out hats is
illustrated. One hat has a dot as pattern; the other uses the shape of a flower. The pattern is printed
with thermochromic ink. When the pattern is shared, or two people wearing the hats come into contact
with one another, the hat with the dot pattern grows flowers, whereas the hat with the flower pattern
receives a dot. This effect is achieved by an under-layer of conductive thread that is heated when two
people are within range of one another. For the moment, the hats are only sketches, more work needs
to be done as they are not technologically complete so far.
Fig. 30 Prototypes of ‘Reach:Wearable Patterns’
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