Wearable Research – Joey Ng

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)

Practice it works in

Also called the buoyancy compensator, this piece or wearable equipment is for divers.

Its specific use 

This device is used for divers to achieve neutral buoyancy underwater and positivity buoyancy (float) on surface.
It is usually attached with an oxygen tank, diving regulators (1st, 2nd and alternate) and information system tools (compass/depth/pressure gauge).

Mobility

Is it fairly mobile, worn like a vest. 
Comes in sizes as well.
The only part that inhibits its mobility is the size and weight of the oxygen tank when worn together.

Utility VS Fashionability 

It is more for functionality than for fashionability as it is a very important piece of device in diving which involves delivering air supply to the diver and making sure the diver can stay afloat on surface.
In terms of fashionability, as it looks like a vest so different patterns or clothing ideas can also be applied to it as well. Although the right material would be more important. 

Hairclip Multi Tool (Clippa)

Practice it works in

It can be used generally but Clippa Blackfin was specifically manufactured for military situations and purposes.

Its specific use

It is a general tool, combining many different tools:
1. Bottle opener
2. Screwdriver/Box opener
3. Nail file
4. Ruler
5. Serrated knife 
All into one small and light tool that you can wear on your hair.

Mobility

It is extremely mobile, measuring a size of 5-6cm in length and extremely lightweight, weighing at 4.5g. Furthermore, it can be worn on your hair.

Utility VS Fashionability

Besides the Clippa Blackfin (marketed for men and military uses), there is also the Clippa Lady which is pink in colour, targeted at ladies. This shows there can be room for fashionability and it can be worn as a fashion statement. However the design would be hard to change as it has to incorporate all those tools. 

Wearable Research – Clare Chang

Catch

Practice it Works In

Catch is designed by a British product designer Hans Ramzan. It is a pocket-sized device that allows for people to test for HIV from home. Therefore, it is branched out from the practice of medicine and healthcare. 

Its Specific Use

This mechanism was invented because people sometimes do not notice the signs of HIV and hence transition into AIDS, which is the final stage. This is designed for people from developing countries, to solve the problem of people there also not being able to afford and access healthcare aid. This device is specifically designed to extract blood and check if HIV is present. It is done in a few simple steps:

  1. User inserts finger into sleeve 
  2. Pipette on the top (which is linked to the needle) is pushed down
  3. Needle enters the finger, and when pipette is released, blood is extracted and sucked into the device
  4. Press the latch button at the side of device and needle is removed and blood flows onto absorbent strip
  5. The indicator shows results – one line means test works, two lines means HIV antibodies are present 

Mobility

This device is extremely lightweight and portable, being slightly smaller than the length of an index finger. This is also attributed to the material it is made of. Catch is made from a composite of recycled polythylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles and regular PET.

Utility VS Fashionability

Ramzan has kept the design of Catch extremely simplistic. Instead of undergoing a more rigorous procedure of doing a blood test and waiting hours or even days to obtain result, Catch produces results almost immediately. This is also useful because it saves on manpower for this healthcare service. It is also profitable since it is made from recycled material (with an estimated production cost of ~SGD7). The visual design in also appealing because of the sleekness and minimalistic details.

Fishing Vest

Practice It Works In

The fishing vest is made for those who participate in the sport – both recreational and competitive. It is to keep all the tools organised and close to the users’ reach.

Its Specific Use

The vest is designed with multiple compartments in order for the user to store different items separately. The compartments are also made of different sizes and also with different closures (either zip, button, or zippers). It is meant to keep the fisherman’s tools neat and dry, especially since there are various small items that could be easily misplaced. The vest is also double-sided meaning that storage compartments are not only on the outside but also on the inside, maximising the amount of space.

Mobility

The fishing vest does not restrict the movement of the fisherman since it sits only on the body’s torso, allowing for a free range of movement of the arms and legs.

Utility VS Fashionability 

Overall, the fishing vest is very practical and acting as a mobile storage space. It is also useful because it acts as an indirect fishing tool checklist for the user when one of the compartments are empty. As for fashionability, it is definitely not suited for everyday wear since it may not be that lightweight and also the conglomerate of items in a single vest may look bulky and unflattering.

Wearable Research — Shelton Chang

Cargo Pants

Vetements Cargo Pants worn by Badgalriri, Rihanna, the queen. 

Practice it works in
Used mainly in the military, sports, fishing. Any practice that requires you to keep and have access to handy objects quickly.

Its specific use
Part of the battle dress first worn by members of the British Armed Forces in 1938. The large pockets were designed for the British military to hold outfield essentials. US Paratroopers subsequently adopted the concept with even larger pockets to hold rations and extra ammunition.

Mobility
Pretty mobile considering that you have to wear pants. It’s just a bottom with many pockets.

Utility vs Fashionability
If Tim Gunn says cargo shorts are is not fashionable, it’s not. Never argue with the godfather of fashion. But cargo pants are making a come back in fashion so…

Carpenter jeans

Practice it works in
Carpentry and construction.

Its specific use
Made with tougher materials such as denim and canvas, the pants designed to withstand the wear and tear at the workplace. The loops and pockets enable easy access to the tools keeping their hands free. The hammer loop was designed on the left leg to hold the hammer but it often falls out or bangs around the leg. Wider and thicker belt loops allow for a wide work belt that holds other tools.

Mobility
Pants are pretty mobile. Unless you are carrying a ton of tools and gizmos that might hinder the way you walk.

Utility vs Fashionability
I would say both as you cannot deny the functionality of pockets. Workwear and 90s fashion are in this season so pieces with an updated and modern fit (see Calvin Klein) are so fetch.

Wearable Research – Kaitlyn

Nano Meter 555 Midlayer, by Vollebak

https://www.vollebak.com/product/nano-meter-555-midlayer-motion-capture/

Practice it works in

The shirt is made by Vollebak, a start-up specialised in adventure gear, suggesting it is intended for adventure athletes like ultramarathon runners. However, I imagine anyone who simply enjoys outdoor adventures could also reap the same benefits when wearing Nano Meter 555 Midlayer.

Specific Use

The shirt, made of sophisticated heat-retaining fabric and lock-down rubberised zip, is intended to keep users warm when outdoors, especially during nightfall. Being long-sleeved also indicates that it offers sun-protection during the day.

An added use is related to day and night recognition. Its highly visible colour – our human eye is most sensitive to wavelength of light of 555 nanometres – can enhance users’ visibility in the day; its retroreflective system of Motion Capture Markers allows three-dimensional human motions to be accurately perceived, even with the least amount of light available.

Mobility

The high stretch top does not restrict physical movement given its flexible, lightweight fleece material, seamless side panels and active stitching technology. Even the Motion Capture Markers are lightweight, flexible and barely detectable by touch: they are microscopic glass beads embedded into the fabric, rather than bulky glass discs weighing down on the shirt and user.  

Utility vs Fashionability

The overall aesthetics of Nano Meter 555 Midlayer is similar to a typical running top; the Motion Capture Markers simply act as subtle matte design details. The shirt should appeal to anyone who is drawn to active or tech wear, whether or not they are actually outdoor adventurers. It is also in a vibrant green colour; in this case, perhaps, the aesthetic appeal is inherent in the recognition technology – the colour green with specific wavelength of light of 555 nanometres.

However, given its highly specialised use, I would say that its utility as an adventure gear is prioritised over fashionability especially for professional outdoor adventurers, whose safety might be compromised if not for proper heat-retaining gear and recognition technology if they are lost in the wilderness.

https://www.wearablex.com/pages/how-it-works#

Nadi X Tights, by Wearable X

Practice it works in

Launched as part of a line of activated yoga apparel, the Nadi X tights with its accompanying app is intended for all yoga enthusiasts (men and women), especially beginners and amateurs who are learning yoga.

Specific Use

The haptic technology integrated into the tights offer guidance to yogis through vibration around users’ hips, knees and ankles, correcting any misalignment in posture when detected by embedded accelerometers. The pants, along with the Nadi X app, act in place of a yoga teacher and being physically present in a yoga lesson.

Mobility

The Pulse device, which activates the guidance technology, connects to its host plate behind the left knee. While it might not physically prevent yogis from getting into positions, its presence might cause discomfort to users if they happen to press onto it while posing. Otherwise, the tights are lightweight and highly stretchable given their four-way stretch fabric with flat seams, allowing for greater freedom in movement. Mobility is also not obstructed by the accelerometers and haptic motors which are integrated into the fabric itself rather than as external devices like the Pulse.

Utility vs Fashionability

The Nadi X tights are aesthetically similar to other yoga pants, all of which have a sleek, skin-tight appearance. They do not necessarily stand out as unique fashion necessities, even if the line of yoga apparel offers a variety of designs for both men and women. Without the Pulse device, they function and appear as regular workout pants; whereas the accelerometers and haptic motors allow the pants to function as a wearable tool, offering a highly personalised and private yoga learning experience.

Ho Koon Yee Kaitlyn, A0143645E

Wearable Research – Cassandra Lim

SurfEars

Practice it works in
SurfEars are ear plugs designed for water athletes like surfers and swimmers.

Its specific use
These ear plugs protect the water athlete’s ears from water, bacteria, dirt and cold air, thereby preventing abnormal bone growth in the ear canal as well as ear inflammation, without affecting their hearing. At the same time, they enable almost no acoustic loss and hence allowing the water athlete to hear their surroundings and not feel isolated.

Mobility
These ear plugs are, of course, lightweight and extremely mobile, and they stay in place even during extreme activities.

Utility vs Fashionability
These ear plugs are also high in utility as they come with changeable parts that allow customisation to fit perfectly in the water athlete’s ears, as well as fixation wings that keep them in place without the need of a safety cord. This, in my opinion, enhances its fashionability, and they also look sleek, with a nice pop of colour.

Survival Laces 

Practice it works in
Survival Laces are shoelaces that double up as a survival tool for the camper, hiker, backpacker, and the like.

Its specific use
These laces made with 550 paracord can be used to catch game, repair gear, bandage wounds, build shelter, build weapons or traps, and etcetera. It also contains a strand of tinder and a ferrocerium rod which could be used to start a fire in times of desperation.

Mobility
These laces add little weight and volume to the survival gear, with so many capabilities hidden under one firmly secured metal aglet (of each lace). In fact it does not even require space in the backpack as they only need to replace the laces of the hiking or backpacking boots. They are available in 5 lengths to fit almost any shoe.

Utility vs fashionability
These paracord laces have good utility by providing endless possibilities in the wilderness, and even accommodates amateurs in fire-making with the tinder strand cut to the optimal length of 4 inches and leaving a surplus. Fashionability is also not compromised with mobility as the laces come in two chic and universal colours, black or olive, which would go with any shoe.

Wearable Research – Boo Shangyou

Micnova MQ-MSP07 Pro Triple Camera Carrying Chest Harness System

Practice:

Micnova MQ-MSP07 is a multifunctional vest specially designed for photographers.

Specific Use:

The MQ-MSP07 allows you to carry a camera, lens, camera flash, and tripod (each weighing up to 10kg) simultaneously. This is suited for photographers who want to carry their equipment on their body hands-free and switch between them swiftly without having to rustle through large camera bags trying to find the equipment they need.

Mobility:

The MQ-MSP07 is made from nylon and mesh fabric, making it lightweight and flexible, while still being able to support the weight of most professional photography equipment. The vest is designed to disperse the weight of the equipment evenly to the chest and back, making it suitable for photographers who intend to go on a long journey.

Utility vs Fashionability:

I believe this vest is more geared towards utility than fashion. It certainly doesn’t look as pretty as some of the designer-brand camera bags out there, but it certainly has a lot more practical use than those. A regular camera bag usually places the weight of your photography equipment entirely on your shoulders/back, but this vest distributes the weight of the equipment between your chest and back much more evenly, and you also don’t have to dig through your bag to find what you want, as previously mentioned. Thus, I would say that this vest is geared more towards active use of photography equipment, while camera bags would be geared more towards transport of said equipment, as this vest is probably not something you would want to be casually walking around with in shopping centres or on public transport.

Live Lids

Practice:

The Live Lid snapback cap can be used by pretty much anybody in a huge range of professions (any profession that would allow/require you to wear a cap). It serves as a unique way to simply express yourself or even advertise for your company or favourite sports teams.

Specific Use:

The Live Lid has an embedded 2.8 inch LCD screen on the front panel that is capable of displaying any static image. The high definition screen connects to your phone via WiFi, allowing you to upload any image to complement your look.

Mobility:

Although the website doesn’t get into weight specifics, the LCD screen is supposed to be very lightweight and the cap doesn’t weigh much more than a regular snapback cap, making it almost/just as mobile as any regular snapback cap.

Utility vs Fashionability:

The Live Lid certainly places heavier importance on fashionability over utility. In terms of utility, there isn’t much this cap does that a regular cap doesn’t do (even as an advertising tool, you could technically sew your company’s logo onto a regular cap), but the customisability afforded by the LCD screen allows you to make it match your look and express your individuality quickly and easily.

Wearable Research – Li Hui

AlterEgo Headset

Practice:

This headset can be used by anyone who wishes to control their devices and ask queries without speaking.

Specific Use:

The device helps to transcribe words that wearers verbalise internally without saying them out loud, using electrodes attached to the skin. When someone say something inside their head, the electrodes will make contact with the skin and the device will pick up subtle neuromuscular signals. These signals will be matched to particular words and they will then be sent into a computer. The computer can also respond through the device using a bone conduction speaker which only allows the wearer to hear it.

Mobility:

The device is worn around the jaw and chin, clipped over the top of the ear to hold it in place.

Utility vs Fashionability:

The best thing about this device is that it does not cause much disruption to the wearer’s daily life. For instance, when one wants to look up something while having a conversation with someone else, the person will be able to search for it without shifting his or her attention from the environment or conversation.

The disadvantage of this device is that users would have to wear a device strapped to their face which may not look that appealing.

Zwim

Practice:

The Zwim Goggles is used by swimmers who wishes to track their real-time data while exercising.

Specific Use:

Although there are several technologies to track your fitness data but it works differently for swimming. Watches interfere with the flow of the workout as swimmers are required to check their data in the middle of the workout. Therefore, Zwim comes with an optical heart-rate sensor that will be placed on our temple, firmly attached by the strap. Zwim also has a motion sensor that determines every turn made after completing each lap. It helps to keep track of lap time, lap count, elapsed time, the user’s heart rate and the calories burned. It also integrates a near-eye full-colour display which shows key real-time statistics.

Mobility:

This device is very convenient as it works exactly like a normal goggle, protecting your eyes from the chlorine water and at the same time, showing the users’ key real-time statistics.

Utility vs Fashionability:

Zwim allows users to customise their screen display by selecting the data they want to see.

It is considered fashionable as it looks like a normal goggle and it does not cause any disruption during the workout.

Wearable studio – Stephanie

Exoskeletons and Tool Belt

Have you ever wished that your heavy backpack will magically lighten with a snap of your fingers? Well, imagine how your pals in the military who have to lug around a heavy field pack. 

NSRDEC has been leading efforts towards the research of exoskeletons can reduce injuries, carrying loads and help troops move around the battlefield and cover terrains with greater ease. It’s sophisticated synthesis of technology such as artificial intelligence that is able to adjust the machinery to move seamlessly with the wearer which is a huge improvement from previous prototypes that actually resists the body’s natural movements. 

What are exoskeletons? Exoskeletons are essentially wearable robots that cover the legs and the arms. 

Although it’s currently still in development, the K-SRD uses DermoskeletonTM technology licensed from B-TEMIA, to counteract overstress on the lower back and legs when heavy loads are being carried. It supports and boosts leg capacity for physically demanding tasks that require lifting or dragging heavy loads, or walking with load on inclines or stairs. K-SRD effectively reduces fatigue and increases endurance.

In term of aesthetics,  it’s reminiscent of the 1959 book “Starship Troopers” by Robert Heinlein which is regarded as the first widely circulated work of fiction to feature military powered armour, and with new technologiesit’s a step closer to reality each day.

Nurse Tool Belt

Let’s dial it down a little and look at something that is less ‘techy’. To be honest I was quite horrified/bewildered at how little advancements or improvement there has been to the ‘tool belt’ for nurses. In fact, if you google ‘Nurse tool belt’ you will find pages after pages of shopping links for you to purchase them from, with little to no links to research or new developments with regards to new developments of the nurse tool belts. It seems like in terms of utility it is serving it’s purpose but it seems to be compromising in terms of aesthetics. Perhaps in more developed regions such as Singapore, they have moved towards ipads or tablets to record patient’s information. However, they will surely still need some basic tools with them when they do their rounds?

This semi circle tool belt is a seemingly popular design that can hold a considerable amount of things. 
This is another design that can hold very limited number of tools. 

Upon doing some quick research, there are a few things that nurses have to carry around at all times. 

  1. Stethoscope. One of the most common and essential medical items that are found in a nursing bag is the stethoscope. 
  2. Medical reference book / guide.
  3. OTC medicine. 
  4. Blood pressure monitor and thermometer. 
  5. Notebook or binder. …
  6. Smartphone or tablet
  7. Writing utensils
  8. Tourniquet
  9. Scissors and Micropore Medical Tape
  10. Hand sanitizer

Wearable Research – Low Jia Yi

A Magician’s Outfit

DVD Case Cover of magician Tony Clark’s ‘Behind the Seams’
My sketch of a magician’s outfit with all its concealed pockets

Practice:

This type of outfit is used extensively by Magicians, but can also be used by anybody else.

Specific Use:

These suits and pant trousers differ from the usual ones because they have many concealed pockets, which is essential for magicians to store many of their magical tools (like several decks of poker cards). They can also play a huge role in a magician’s magic show routine, for example, when making something disappear (hiding it) and then having it appear again in one of his/her pockets.

Mobility:

This outfit with multiple pockets is highly mobile, as the movement of the wearer will not be restricted in any ways.

Utility vs Fashionability:

I would say that this multi-pocketed outfit is both functional and fashionable. It is functional because it aids the magician in his/her work in terms of keeping his/her hands free, storing the tools and allowing the magic routine to happen. At the same time, this outfit consists of a nicely tailored suit jacket and a pair of trousers, which contributes to the whole aesthetic and magical experience of magic, which is highly reliant on showmanship.

BBQ Apron

Grill Sergeant BBQ Apron by Mouth Inc, taken from Amazon
My sketch of the BBQ Apron

Practice:

This apron can be used by anybody, but is targeted to people who barbeques a lot.

Specific Use:

This apron contains many pockets that is designed to hold the many things that one will need or want while barbequing, such as salt and pepper, tongs, and sauces. Apart from the elastic holders that can hold up to a pack of beer, the apron also comes with an attached bottle opener.

Mobility:

At first look, this apron looks like it will not hinder the wearer’s mobility much. However, actual users of this apron have reviewed it and said otherwise (as can be seen in this video).

Basically, because the apron is designed to hold so many things, many things are put into the pockets, and the weight of the items can make the apron slip down. Together with the bulkiness of the items (especially the drinks at the top), the user can be inconvenienced and have his/her movement restricted while wearing this apron.

Utility vs Fashionability:

The apron is useful in terms of being able to hold many things that are needed when barbequing food, but the slight hindrance of mobility decreases its level of utility a little. In terms of being fashionable, I think it is definitely an interesting look that makes the wearer looks like he/she knows what he/she is doing in terms of barbequing, but not that fashionable that one will wear it out in public.

Wearable Research – Brenda Tan

Roulette Shoe 

Practice it works in 

The roulette shoe was created in the late 1970s by a group of students at the University of California, who called themselves “The Eudaemons”, to help players win at roulette. To avoid potential problems with the casino authorities, they decided that the sole of the a shoe was the least conspicuous location for their creation. 

Its specific use

The roulette shoe is basically a computer within a shoe. The Eudaemons made use of two separate shoe computers – one worn by the observer and the other by his accomplice. The first, shown in the drawing above, used a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor and was worn by an observer near the roulette wheel. The observer would clock the motion of the wheel and ball using a toe-operated switch.

A prediction of where the ball would land on the wheel would be generated by the observer’s shoe computer and immediately transmitted to an accomplice. The accomplice would then feel a unique pattern and frequency of buzzing solenoids in their shoe. This would tell which octant of the roulette wheel was most likely to catch the ball and they can place their bets according to this information.

Mobility 

Due to its small size and portability, the computer was very convenient and could be transferred from one shoe to another with ease.  

Utility vs Fashionability 

The roulette shoe’s casing was made of epoxy, a material that could keep out moisture and was strong enough to create a platform that could survive the pressure of being walked upon. In addition, a separate section called the “battery boat” was built to house the batteries and was designed to be easily disconnected so that fresh batteries could be installed quickly. While the shoe had its pros, it also led to some problems. After one of the computers malfunctioned, a member suffered from electronic shocks which resulted in burns. Since then, they ceased usage of the roulette shoe.

Since the computer was meant to be hidden in a shoe, very little detail was given to its aesthetic design. It was simply wires and electronics encased in transparent container so that its user had full visibility.

UA Gemini 3 Record-Equipped Smart Shoes 

Practice it works in

These Under Armour smart shoes was made for runners who want to track their running, walking or jogging data without having to wear an extra accessory like a smartwatch or fitness band.

Its specific use

Apart from recording time, distance and pace, these smart shoes can also measure muscular fatigue and lets the user know if he is ready for a run. The user has to jump 6 times, and the  sensors and microchip embedded inside the shoes will allow the prediction of fatigue over time based on the user’s jump score. Simply put, the user can get a better idea of whether he is in good enough shape for putting in a big run.

Furthermore, the sensor inside the shoe records the users’ fitness data uses bluetooth connectivity to sync the data with the UA MapMyRun app, allowing the user to track his progress over time.

Mobility

Since the technology is all encapsulated within the shoe itself, this reduces the hassle of wearing an extra fitness accessory. All the user has to do is put on the shoes, and he’s good to go! Since the shoes are lightweight as well, it’s highly mobile. 

Utility vs Fashionability

Apart from the smart technology, the shoes also have innovative UA SpeedForm® construction moulds to the foot for a precision fit. The engineered mesh used on the tongue and toe box also enhances fit and increases ventilation. Its internal heel counter also provides seamless, lightweight support and structure.

The shoes also come in 3 different designs, making it both highly functional and fashionable at the same time.