Arduino-powered clothing is nothing new; we've seen
CO2-detecting dresses,
compass belts and
inbox-checking T-shirts all within the last six months. But this Ping social networking garment concept is not quite the same thing. Where those were DIY projects with a single-function, Ping is the brainchild of a professional UI designer... and the fabric itself is a social network UI that registers your movements as attempts to communicate. Woven with flexible sensors and conductive threads connected to an Arduino Lilypad and Xbee, clothing made from the fabric can detect when you lift a hood or tie a ribbon and wirelessly send Facebook status updates accordingly -- or tap you on the shoulder in a number of different rhythms so you know not only when, but who might be trying to get in touch. Designer Jennifer Darmour imagines a future in which clothing offers full-body 3D gesture recognition and senses our environment. When we can reliably use it
to control our computers, we hope she'll get in touch.
posted April 19th 2010 7:21AM
But can it keep me warm?
@Miakandogadget
i dont think id be comfortable with sumthin that wants to tap me..
@Miakandogadget Sending preformed status updated determined by whether or not you raise your hood is possibly the fastest way to lose every online friend or follower you have.
@DarkGrimoire Same here. I have a tendency to strike someone blindly if they tap me on the shoulder... Especially from behind.
Wow too lazy to use a mouse click? How bout an automatic brain that think for us... Wait, they had those aka girlfriend. I'm speechless.
Normally I'm only tapped on the shoulder by Capt Doo Doo. This would be a welcome change.
I can see this getting real annoying if you're following lots of people.
Wait, so now I get a tap on the shoulder whenever a friend feels the need to raise his hood?
I foresee a future when I will be annoyed non-stop and constantly turning around to see who is behind me only to curse that damned jacket again...
@harrykim23
That will look good in public. On the bright side, insane asylum isn't too far away.
@harrykim23 does it come with wrap-around sleeves?
I'd go for the underpants.
@jembarnes put it in the underpants of my GF... wanna know when and where and for how long she puts it off!
clothes that sense movement and surroundings just might have way more practical applications than just social networking...
If I were a prison warden, I would put all my inmates in this stuff. Gesture detecting clothing could tell me when inmates are doing naughty things they shouldn't, like fighting, taking drugs, fashioning a shiv and shoving things up their rectum. This kind of thing serves an Orwellian system very nicely. A private school headmaster's wet dream.
It could help rescue operations for things like earthquakes, letting them know who is trapped where and whether they're moving or not. Stick a GPS beacon into them and it's a great accessory for backwoods snowboarders or mountain climbers in case they get lost.
The creator is onto something, they just don't know what it is yet. Get your heads out of your twit-holes and think of a legitimate use for this stuff!
I wonder what happens to the lower part of your clothing when someone wants "something"
Today's world: knowledgeable but stupid.
Great, I'll make sure not to turn it on for spam mail.
So you're saying when I'm home fapping to Rachel Ray, if I forget to take off my shirt made from this fabric, it'll update my Facebook page telling all my friends and colleagues what I'm up to?!?!?!
No thanks...
Will their raincoat support Flash?
I already have a lot of ping apparel. Got it here: www.ping.com
(don't point your iPad or iPhone there, it's a Flash site)
The future of OCD
I'm surprised that engadget failed to use photos from the source link... hottish models usually generate more comments. Perhaps because they're not Korean product waifs?
This is unecessary.
** Dodges super poke **
hey, check out this related blog posting by Jennifer Darmour:
http://www.artefactgroup.com/blog/2010/04/software-experiences-natural-user-interfaces-and-the-clothes-we-wear/
Of course, nobody would ever think to use this for anything inappropriate.
like morris code on your shoulder???? aren't we kinda past that
"wuzelwazel has just gotten half a stalk."
This status update brought to you courtesy of Ping boxer briefs.