Currently, we are seeing workout attire that breathes better, doesn’t retain that foul gym smell and even helps provide extra “squeeze” to compress muscles. That’s all good and clever, but truly “smart” clothing is now being developed that could change the way we work out.
Reebok and start-up MC10 have partnered up to develop apparel that would utilize stretchable silicon electronics. Reebok would utilize the flexible electronics from MC10 into its sportswear, resulting in clothing that can actually monitor a user’s health and performance during training and post-workout cool down.
While neither company has fully offered specifics on what this means, it could be very interesting. We know that MC10 has been working to develop super-thin strips of silicon. This technology promises to require low energy while still offering computing speed – making it a benefit over competing technologies such as organic semiconductors.
The flexible silicon thus could offer all the advantages of standalone devices that we already use today, just incorporated within an actual shirt or shoe. This could be put into attire creating a built in heart rate monitor/calorie counter. It could mean shoes have built in pedometers.
Now the only thing left is for the attire to actually remind you to workout. That would be truly genius.
[Via Technology Review: Stretchable Silicon Could Make Sports Apparel Smarter]