technology innovations in smart fabrics
TRANSCRIPT
Uptrend in Electronics and Wireless Industry
Fuels Innovations in Smart Fabrics
D63D-TI
November 2014
Research PREVIEW for
Technology Innovations in Smart Fabric
D63D-TI 2
The Full Analysis Features the Following Content
Section Slide Numbers
Executive Summary 3
Technology and Industry Overview 7
Stakeholder’s Analysis 19
Global Trends 25
Impact Analysis 31
Competitive Landscape 36
AHP Roadmap 41
Analyst Insight 48
Key Patents 49
Key Contacts 53
The Frost & Sullivan Story 55
3
Research Scope and Objective
According to statistics, the smart fabrics market is expected to generate approximately $2 billion by 2018.
At present, the market consists of smart wearable technologies that can be customized to fit a host of
demanding sectors. The drastic development of the electronics and wireless industries has accentuated
market growth. Market trends incline toward the rising interest of consumers and potential stakeholders
by 2018. Sub-segments of smart fabrics, which would be under the spotlight include digital fabrics, baby-
sensors, smart-lingerie, energy harvesters, and nano-based sensors and communications electronics.
The research service is a critical illustrative study of the smart fabrics market.
Briefly, this research service provides:
• A snapshot of current smart fabrics technologies and their capabilities.
• Market impact assessment and analysis of recent innovations.
• A detailed analysis of technology and business accelerators and challenges in smart fabrics.
• An assessment of technology adoption with respect to the global hotspots.
• An evaluation of emerging opportunities and the patent landscape.
• An analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-based evaluation that helps finalize the top three market sectors
for smart fabrics in the next three to five years.
• Some key patents that provide an insight into notable activities of global participants.
• A detailed list of contacts in the field.
4
Technical Insights–Research Process and Methodology
Research Methodology
Outcome: Forecast Future of
Technology, Market Adoption
and Potential Application
Sectors
Innovators and
Innovations
• Technology Journals
• Periodicals
• Market Research
Reports
• Technology Policy
information Sites
• Internal Databases
• Thought Leader
Briefings
• Engineers
• CTOs/CEOs/CIOs
• Technical Architects
• Research Heads
• Technology Policy Heads
Interview
Participants
Stakeholder Insights,
Perspectives & Strategies
Patent
Review
Assess
Innovations
Technology
Capabilities and
Stakeholder Initiatives
Technology/Business
Challenges
Application Market
Potential and Needs
Technology/Business
Drivers
1
2
3
Stakeholder Insights,
Perspectives and
Strategies
Primary Research
Secondary Research
5
• Architecture: Flexible shape and functional flexibility are two main
reasons for smart fabrics to have found immense success in the field of
architecture.
• Transportation: 14% of the total smart fabrics market is taken by
transportation sectors. With the rise in the population of the world,
various new transportation strategies are being devised.
• Sports & Fitness: Heart rate and muscle rate monitors have found good
market density. The most state-of-the-art smart fabric solutions are
available for sports fitness in the form of shorts, innerwear, and lingerie.
For value addition, a range for infants has been added. It is the biggest
market for smart fabrics.
• Protection & Military: Motion trackers and position followers have
dominated the smart fabrics market. This market has the third highest
adoption rate.
• Healthcare: The healthcare sector is a nascent market. Smart fabrics for
medical devices, machines and monitors are being developed. Many are
available in the market though the costs are still high.
• Fashion & Entertainment: This market has the second highest adoption
rate. Most products are inclined toward wet fabrics and smart glasses.
Smart Fabrics in the rings and necklaces form factors offer an appealing
appearance and innovative functionality; they are thus popular among
consumers.
Smart Fabrics
Fashion & Entertainment
Healthcare
Protection & Military
Sports & Fitness
Transportation
Architecture
Technology Snapshot
Fabric Classification: Application Sectors
The strong adoption of smart fabrics will lead to huge growth in the field of sports and fitness by 2016. Other lucrative
application sectors include fashion & entertainment as well as protection and military. More innovations and newer products
are expected in all these areas. Other sectors will witness steady innovations and gradual growth.
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Metallic yarns connected with mini computers are knitted to create conductive
fabrics. The circuits are bonded together to ensure tightness and flexibility
of fabrics. These are then further processed to fabricate the fabric modules, which are
utilized in electronic devices. Mini-computers are among the finest and smartest
components ever introduced for smart fabrics. The price of such products is still very
high, but this has not prevented market adoption.
SENSORS
METALLIC YARNS
MINI COMPUTERS
Digital circuits are interconnected with metallic yarns to fabricate e-textiles or electronic textiles. These circuits are digitally made in association with sensors to help detect and monitor health related facilities in sports and fitness textiles. Such circuits are utilized in
smart glasses to help sensors perform accurately. The circuits are small and widely
used in the electronics industry as they are comfortable for all types of users including
infants. As such, smart fabrics when used with appropriate design is a boon.
Weaving metallic yarns to make conductive fabrics has become a smart way to create
various types of smart fabrics. The metallic yarns act as basic yarns, which are used for
making normal fabrics. Basically, materials such as copper are used to create the yarns,
which at present control the cost of manufacture. The yarns make the textile
conducive to electronic impulses, which are used to detect bodily activities or
control phones and i-pads.
In most smart clothing such as fitness shorts, tracks, and bras, sensors are present. These sensor components can track and monitor motion functions, cardiac conditions,
pulse rate, muscle conditions, and a host of other health-related factors. These sensors
are lightweight and cause no discomfort to the wearer. These sensors have most
concentration in Europe. Example: pressure sensor, light sensor.
Technology Snapshot Smart Fabrics: Components
Fitness clothing
Blue Smart
Fabric Modules
Defence Clothing
BioMetric Garments
CIRCUITS
COMPONENTS SMART WEARABLE DESCRIPTION
Smart fabrics are used in various application sectors and each sector has individual components. A large number of components are used to
make smart fabrics. Some of the basic components used have been listed here.
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Wearable Technologies
Digital Healthcare
Smart Lighting
3D Printed Technologies
PPE Necklaces Smart
Glasses
Wrist Devices
Monitors Edema Stocking
Baby Care Devices
Electroluminescent Lamps
Flexible Display
Printed Electronics
Smart fabrics can be conceptualized quite simply. They can be classified as follows:
Wearable Technologies: This is by far the most mature section of smart textiles. Technologies, which incorporate the assembly of electronics
into textiles by weaving the conductive metallic yarns have resulted in the most advanced variety of smart textiles. Some types would be
personal protective equipment, wrist devices (such as electronic watches), and so on.
Digital Healthcare include smart textiles in health monitors, baby boomers and healthcare devices such as electromyographs.
Smart Lighting involves more of electronics. Examples include products with flexible displays.
3D printing is in a very nascent stage of adopting smart fabrics. At present, research projects are conducted in this field. An example would
be printed electronic sensors in textiles.
Technology
adoption level
Technology
adoption level
Technology
adoption level
Technology
adoption level
Technology Snapshot Smart Fabrics: Comparative Analysis
8 D63D-TI
Demand Side
Analysis
Comfortable
Multi-Functional
Aesthetic Demands
Product Personalization
Entertainment
Reliable Products
Time-Saving
Portable
BloodShot Ictus developed
by Catapult UK
XOS 2 exoskeleton developed by
Raytheon
Muskin developed by Grado Zero
Espace Srl
Nitro Interference Pants by
ThirtySevenFive Inc.
Twitter Dress developed by
CuteCircuit
Exmobaby developed by
Exmovere Holdings
Mbody developed by Myontec Oy
ORA Smartglass by
Optinvent
Cost-Effective
Alert Shirt developed by Wearable
Experiments
Smart Fabrics End-User Demands and Available Capabilities
D63D-TI 9
AHP Tree
Evaluation of Opportunities for Emerging Data Storage
AHP Tree: Evaluation of Technologies for Bio-Adhesives
Evaluation of Opportunities for Emerging Data Storage Evaluation of Smart Fabrics
R&D Aspects Technology Capability
Intellectual Property
Scalability
Commercialization
Potential
Competitive Landscape
Level 0
Criteria
Level 1
Criteria
Alternatives
Transportation PPE Sports & Fitness Fashion &
Entertainment
Market Significance
Technological
Readiness Level
Partnerships & Alliances
Mergers & Acquisitions
Funding Scenario
Architecture Healthcare
Marketing Potential
Reliability
Efficiency
Regulatory Issues
Industrial Requirements
D63D-TI 10
Interested in Full Access? Connect With Us
Ariel Brown Corporate Communications
(210) 247.2481
Research Authors
Sanchari Chatterjee
Research Analyst
Technical Insights
Chemicals, Materials &
Food
Aravind Chander V.
Industry Manager
Technical Insights
Chemicals, Materials &
Food
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D63D-TI 11
Global Perspective 40+ Offices Monitoring for Opportunities and Challenges
D63D-TI 12
Industry Convergence Comprehensive Industry Coverage Sparks Innovation Opportunities
Automotive &
Transportation
Aerospace & Defense Measurement &
Instrumentation
Information &
Communication Technologies
Healthcare Environment & Building
Technologies
Energy & Power
Systems
Chemicals, Materials
& Food
Electronics &
Security
Industrial Automation
& Process Control
Automotive
Transportation & Logistics
Consumer
Technologies
Minerals & Mining