NEC shows off cloth antenna: receives OTA, clears nostrils

We've seen some pretty outrageous looking antennas in our day, but NEC could have a hit on its hands with this newfangled cloth iteration. Granted, details are still hazy, but apparently this device can receive OTA TV signals and double as a handkerchief if you so desire. Reportedly, the firm has lined the cloth triangles with a "special metal" that can pick up broadcasted signals, and it's already thinking about integrating this into tents and other outdoor equipment. Additionally, this could certainly take wearable electronics to a new level if it were woven into one's garb (walking televisions, anyone?), but sadly, there's no word as to when (or if) this technology will hit the mainstream.

[Thanks, kaztm]

[NG @ Oct 13th 2007 7:52PM]

what is it good for?

[ryan @ Oct 13th 2007 8:02PM]

absolutely nothin!

jk..I couldn't resist. They did mention putting it into tents or clothing in the article though, just to name a few things.

[Andrew H. @ Oct 13th 2007 9:03PM]

now you dont have to reach for the tissue box =)

[Paul @ Oct 13th 2007 8:14PM]

Did anyone consider the dangers of wearing conductive material outside?
Anyone want to go camping in a metal lined tent during a thunderstorm??

[ty @ Oct 13th 2007 8:30PM]

Just remember to Ground it with a 8 foot ground rod and you will be ok.

[Simon @ Oct 13th 2007 8:31PM]

If i could get Television X in a tent, i would risk being struck by lightning!

[bombastinator @ Oct 14th 2007 1:19AM]

Back when I was a kid folks did that all the time. What was the name they had for it?

Oh yeah.. "sleeping in your car"

[Reader @ Oct 14th 2007 4:40AM]

Rofl, I hope that comment was sarcastic. If lighting were to actually get that close to you a little bit of metal isn't going to make any difference.

[Wwhat @ Oct 14th 2007 9:03AM]

Ground an antenna.. of course it won't be an antenna anymore then, but it might help protect you from cosmic rays though.

[narco @ Oct 13th 2007 8:40PM]

Wearable televisions? I'll buy 1.

Fishes,
nrco.

[Blastar @ Oct 13th 2007 9:28PM]

Its could be used for new kind of transmiters or receivers(no wires).
Or it could just be used inside the devices like in modile TVs
but with no more extra long antennas.
The good thing it is that it just doesn't brake.
Its prety usefull I think.

[k7xyz @ Oct 13th 2007 11:03PM]

This is the most fantastic "gadget" ever posted on engadget (with the blackberry 8820 coming in second). As a ham radio aficionado I welcome my new lightning attracting clothing, camping gear, BVDs, etc.. several OTA tv frequencies are very close to ham radio bands and I think that it would be awesome to have a wearable ham radio. (Just don't put too much power through or you could ask for trouble!

[bombastinator @ Oct 14th 2007 1:19AM]

I wonder if metal lame' fabric works for this. If so being a geek may have just gotten even tackier.

[russ d @ Oct 13th 2007 11:34PM]

Show me the cancer!!!!

[ethana2 @ Oct 13th 2007 11:48PM]

Silent Killer? Silent Guardian.

not antennas.

[AJ @ Oct 14th 2007 3:04AM]

"Honey, help me adjust my OTA...that's in my pants"

[belyaun @ Oct 14th 2007 3:09AM]

Weaving into clothing would be really tacky but I'd like to use the flat antennae for my pc's tuner.

[Wwhat @ Oct 14th 2007 9:05AM]

This might also help against tasers! when woven in the right places.

[GameboyRMH @ Oct 14th 2007 11:27PM]

Hmm good idea, you'd just need to wire the conductive parts of the clothing to grounding pins in the bottoms of your shoes. Get some golf shoes and half the work's done for you!

[Wwhat @ Oct 15th 2007 12:36AM]

Well taser do have two poles that are shortened through your body, so if you have something else short them better the energy will follow that path and much less of the effect will be felt, so no need for grounding perse.

[Russell @ Oct 14th 2007 10:23PM]

How about the obvious application, a cell phone antenna for when the cell phone is on your hip. I'd love a lightweight jacket or other clothing that could help you get better cell signal... Probably only useful with a BT headset since you don't really want a long cord dangling..