Wearable technology is a very intriguing idea that is fast in progress over the years, constantly adding new accessories and functionalities to the clothes we wear each day. This idea involves giving clothes ears or at least the same capacity as an ear. That is the plan behind the project of the “acoustic fabric” developed by MIT engineers and collaborators of the Rhode Island School of Design. This design seems a bit odd or invasive but researchers claim that it is revolutionary.
The design is highly flexible, as it can be bent in any form and of course, can be washed in the washing machine. The question we should ask however is if these clothes are necessary or if it just an unnecessary invention.
Researchers claim that the fabric can have a remarkable implication in many fields, especially medical devices. A shirt could document the heartbeat of a person with cardiac issues. They claim it can be used for the blind, used in buildings to detect cracks or strains, or even woven into fishnets to detect the sound of a fish. The fiber is designed from a “piezoelectric” material that produces an electrical signal when bent or during drastic movements, which provides a means for the fabric to convert sound vibrations into electrical signals. The fibers can also be made to generate sound, such as a recording of spoken words.
However, I think this invention is not necessarily needed. What I mean by this is that inventors simply want to involve technology in every Sphere of human life, but I think the aspect of clothes or fashion should not necessitate technology at all. Other devices can perform the functions listed above such as helping the blind or monitoring a heartbeat of a cardiac patient and even do it better. Therefore in my opinion this is simply an invention that is not needed. The only thing I think this invention will be cool with is secretly getting a confession from a criminal as evidence. That would be interesting. Nevertheless, I agree that it is a pretty cool idea. The design is still a work in progress, however, the researchers hope to release it over the years. What’s your opinion? Do you think this invention may be revolutionary?
Sources/References
https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/future-technology-22-ideas-about-to-change-our-world/
Yes, it also seems to me that this is a useless invention. Electronic watches and other similar devices already perform these roles, so the so-called electronic clothing does not make sense
I agree with your statement- the idea is useless. There are many other more functional devices performing the exact same task, and having clothing made of acoustic fabric surely isn’t the smartest nor safest idea. Besides, the cost of such a shirt may be ridiculously high and it may easily breakdown. I also think that in many cases the voices recorded may be muffled due to the person’s movement, heartbeat or the wind.