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9. Wearables

Research

This week at Fabricademy focused on the exploration of wearable technologies through the fusion of fashion, electronics, and biomaterials. The main goal was to understand how to integrate sensors, microcontrollers, and soft circuits into garments or accessories that interact with the body and the environment.

The vision behind wearable computing foresees future electronic systems to be an integral part of our everyday outfits. Such electronic devices have to meet special requirements concerning wearability. Wearable systems will be characterized by their ability to automatically recognize the activity and the behavioral status of their own user as well as of the situation around her/him, and to use this information to adjust the systems‘ configuration and functionality (Stoppa and Chiolerio, 2014).

Fig. 1 M. Stoppa & A. Chiolerio, 2014

Wearable Electronics and Smart Textiles: A Critical Review

Wearable electronics are emerging as a key platform for developing next-generation electronic devices that are more compatible with the human body. To meet this demand, a new generation of devices is needed—ones that offer multiple functions while adapting effectively to the body's shape and movement. This new class of wearable technology includes components such as displays, sensors, and batteries, all of which operate under unique conditions when placed on or inside the human body.

Despite significant progress, the electrical performance and functional features of current e-textile systems remain below the standards required for widespread consumer use. To address these limitations, researchers have introduced innovative structural designs, novel functional materials, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Recent studies report major improvements in both optoelectronic and mechanical properties. However, several challenges remain, and effective strategies are needed to fully realize the potential of e-textile systems in practical applications.

Fig. 2 J. Sang Heo, J. Eom, K. Yong-Hoon, P. Sung Kyu

Recent Progress of Textile-Based Wearable Electronicsk


Tools

-LEDs STEREN -3V baterry Electrically conducting thread

Process

Experimentation



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Fig. 5


Ballet dress
The LEDs were sewn onto the dress according to the scheme. The LEDs light up when they touch the conductor wires that were left free, thus closing the system.


Fig. 6 Squematic


Results

Ballet dress


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Fig. 9

Video

experimentation

Ballet dress

Conclusion

During this week, I explored the integration of electronic components into textiles through various wearable technology experiments. I began by working with the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 to build simple circuits: one to light up LEDs and another to activate a buzzer sound. These exercises helped me understand basic input-output logic and microcontroller programming for wearable applications.

As a hands-on project, I designed and stitched a small ballet doll dress embedded with a soft circuit made using conductive thread and three LEDs. The LEDs light up when conductive fiber strands are touched, closing the circuit through the body’s natural conductivity. This interactive element gave the textile a responsive and emotional quality, bringing the object to life through touch.

This exploration revealed the powerful potential of wearable technologies in textile design—not just for fashion, but for creating interactive, expressive, and even therapeutic experiences. By embedding sensors, lights, and other components into fabrics, wearables can tell stories, evoke emotions, or respond to the environment and the user. This opens up endless possibilities for innovation in areas such as performance costumes, educational tools, health-monitoring garments, and more.

References & Inspiration