Talk to the hand...or ring

AnalogueAesthetics creates hand-crafted accessories inspired by all things mechanical, chemical and electrical. One of their products that can be purchased on Etsy is this gorgeous ring that includes an integrated microphone. What I like about this design is that the artist wasn't afraid to let aspects of the technology directly inform the aesthetics. In this case, the grated pattern found on old microphones creates the main aesthetic texture that is also functional. I'd love to see the gestures that people make recording audio from this device.

If you're looking to buy one, it looks like they're sold out. Contact the designer here and request a backorder! *drool*

A machine for embroidering circuits

Gizmodo just announced this fantastic Brother QuattroT 6000D that includes a full color HD display and a camera that allows fabric to be auto-positioned for automatic embroidery. I immediately imagined using this machine to embroider circuits into textiles much like Becky Stern’s embroidered circuits titled “A Tribute to Leah Buechley". The possibilities of using embroidery to change the aesthetics of circuitry is endless.

Read more on my earlier posts around challenging the aesthetics of circuitry.

Interactive hip-hop apparel for '09

Music, style and fashion are all integral to hip-hop culture, so why not merge them into a line of interactive gear that helps connect you with your music. KILLA is a new line of hip-hop fashion that includes integrated interfaces for your music. Check out their videos that aim to capture how the culture merges music and fashion.

KILLA partnered with QIO Systems to help with the sensors and soft interface technology. The line is aimed to be launched in ’09 and is one of the few fashion lines available on the market that includes integrated technology available for a somewhat reasonable price (considering the extra cost to include technology componentry).

Additional sources via talk2myshirt.com.

GPS-embedded lingerie

Lucia Loria, a Brazillian designer, has created a line of lingerie called Find me if you can that includes an embedded GPS tracking system and it has caused quite a stir. According to the designer via Wired: "It's not a modern chastity belt, says the designer, but instead could become a lifesaver, as a safety device on a night out."

Now, my first question is why would I want a GPS tracking system in my underwear? This is froth with red flags and it seems to be an example of where concept and implementation do not meet. If safety is the goal, I challenge the designer to push the concept, find ways to understand what the real problems/needs are, and solve those.

Read more on the controversy here.

Sleeping jacket

Matthew Gale designed a jacket that functions as a sleeping aid for when you're on public transit, called Excubo. He came up with the concept after learning that people sleep on public transportation when their bodies are held in a rigid state rather than loose and bouncing around.

Couple this idea with Timothy Dubitsky's Hood.e that integrates headphones into the hood and you can drown out the ambient noise that comes with public transportation by lulling yourself to sleep with your music. All of this, of course, would be discretely integrated into the garment so it becomes your second skin while helping you catch your Z's.

Hand-recording your experiences

Valeria Fuso has designed Jik, a glove that records your experiences by capturing video, images and sound in the context of where you are. Fuso is brilliantly exploring natural gestures as the interface that triggers recording actions such as holding your hand in the shape of a circle up to your eye, which tells the glove to begin recording an image and holding your hand up like signing the number "5" to tell the glove to record sound.

The idea of using natural gestures to trigger actions is ripe with opportunities. Now that this version is complete, I wish to see Jik implemented into something other than a glove so that it is more seamlessly integrated into the things we do and wear. In other words, what if Fuso's natural gestures were implemented into a full-fledged garment?

Imagine a garment that understands the direction you turn, if you are bent or sitting, if your arms are lifted or not, the elevation your cuffs are in, if it's buttoned up or not... How can this idea be pushed further into a more seamlessly integrated solution where the technology is more discrete and hidden?