Electroluminescent displays hit jerseys, convey stats to fans

Although names, numbers, and logos are commonplace figures on your average sports jersey, electroluminescent displays could be the next big thing to hit professional sports. In what's sure to elicit drooling from advertising firms everywhere, the University of Australia's Mitchell Page and Andrew Vande Moere has developed a basketball "vest," more commonly known as a "singlet," which sports a number of light-up displays designed to convey a bevy of information to onlookers, teammates, and mascots opponents. Aside from resembling your average Laser Tag apparel, the vest receives communications via a wireless computer (about the size "of an iPod") which is strapped to the player's body; the device then channels information about their "points, fouls, and the amount of time left in the game" to the glowing panels. The technology, dubbed TeamAwear (for "team sports awareness wearable display"), has already been implemented on small two-on-two matchups with apparent success, but there's no word on when we'll see Kobe's jersey lighting up like the Las Vegas skyline.

[Gil @ Dec 6th 2006 5:30PM]

Did everyone forget the Philips T-Shirts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd99gyE4jCk


Those are a hell of lot less bulkier

[Jim @ Dec 6th 2006 6:15PM]

Greetings, programs!

"Look. This... is all a mistake. I'm just a compound interest program. I work at a savings and loan! I can't play these video games!"

[tiuk @ Dec 6th 2006 6:49PM]

Very cool idea, but I doubt basketball players would take well to the idea of an ipod-sized device strapped to their body.

[Handle IT @ Dec 6th 2006 6:54PM]

Maybe something like this will motivate the players to play harder because everyone will know when they are "taking the night off." But I doubt it...

[Ian @ Dec 6th 2006 7:41PM]

What about the Tron reference?

[Hiren @ Dec 6th 2006 7:47PM]

You'll find there's no University of Australia. Sydney University is the right institution.

[Ben @ Dec 6th 2006 10:51PM]

haha, that's ridiculous. nobody would wear an ipod on their hip while playing basketball. that could ruin your career if you land on it wrong.

where was thought process for this one?

[whiskey @ Dec 6th 2006 11:42PM]

Wake me up when they develop the tron costume with this!

[Chris @ Dec 7th 2006 12:03AM]

Just so you know, there's no "University of Australia". The one in the story is actually the "University of Sydney". Incredibly, Australia has a number of universities.

[Cactaur @ Dec 7th 2006 5:06AM]

Yay, full contact basketball with hitpoint display!