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Can intelligent fabric save LG’s bacon?

by on30 June 2016


Wonder material

LG is developing a game changing technology which could help replace smartphones as its big money earner.

Its Innotek "cutting edge materials" manufacturing arm has unveiled a new type of textile that can sense pressure across its whole surface. It can be bended and folded in any which way, making it a suitable material for clothing and accessories for use in medical, health, and even automotive industries.

LG Innotek's innovation focuses on sensing pressure which could solve a big problem. Most pressure sensing devices today, at the very least, are solid, unbending, and uncomfortable.

LG's material is made from a special polyurethane material that lends itself well to being deformed. Pressure sensitivity isn't simply limited to one area but is spread across the entire surface, turning the whole material into one large, or small, sensor.

You can use it to create pressure sensitive carpets for detecting body balance, make gloves which can tell how effective a player's grip on the club is, make car seat covers that can detect the passenger's posture and body type and adjust automatically.

LG is not saying if it can also work with mobiles, but it is pretty likely. Pressure sensitive gear already works with mobiles so this could be the first of clothing which controls your phone, or telly.
Google has talked about making such material, but it has been a bit more ambitious. As a result it has not got anything out there yet. LG is apparently a lot closer.

Last modified on 30 June 2016
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