Intelligent Textiles: Opportunities and Challenges for the Industrial Designer

DS 61: Proceedings of NordDesign 2010, the 8th International NordDesign Conference, Göteborg, Sweden, 25.-27.08.2010

Year: 2010
Editor: Andreas Dagman; Rikard Söderberg
Author: Salomonsen, Cecilie; Boks, Casper
Section: Human Factors
Page(s): 247-256

Abstract

Recently, intelligent textiles have emerged as a new, multidisciplinary research area that will revolutionize the textile industry. Early commercial applications can be found on the market and have been well received. Intelligent textiles are made of materials and structures that are able to detect changes in their environment (for example with the user) and as result change characteristics, structure, tactility or appearance. Intelligent textiles are build up using materials and structures, and choices for joining techniques such as weaving, knitting, sewing, lamination, etc. However, from a designer’s perspective, structured information on how to design with intelligent textiles is scarce and ill-addressed in literature. This article aims to provide an introduction to the main technologies and techniques available, and to discuss application areas and challenges towards commercial implementation of design with intelligent textiles.

Keywords: Industrial design, intelligent textiles, nanotechnology, user-centred design

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