Smart Clothing in Practice: Key Design Barriers to Commercialization

Abstract

For more than forty years, the promise of electronic clothing has excited designers and consumers alike. The last ten years have seen a dramatic increase in academic and industry research, but few developments have made it to the consumer market. Commercial attempts have often met with lackluster sales. The obstacles to realizing the potential of electronic or “smart” clothing are complex and interrelated. Here, we explore areas of significant potential for the development of smart clothing, and identify the design barriers to achieving commercialization of these applications in four major areas: functionality, manufacture, developmental practice, and consumer acceptance.