Present

Luminex is a luminous fabric that uses fibre-optics. It is industrially available as of 2006. More glowing fabrics [3] from Loop.pH and from Philips (LumaLive).

Safe & Cool project uses fabrics with active cooling and internal structure. This signifies a shift from simple materials (just natural or synthetic threads woven together) to complex systems with many layers, active elements, sensors, etc. This is the early beginning of smart matter.

Animatronic dresses designed by Hussein Chalayan use computerized motors and monofilament wires to radically transform from one style to another (5 dresses morphing from 1906 style to 2007). [4], [5], [6]

Clothing can incorporate electronic devices (flexible keyboards and displays) as well as solar panels to charge them. [7] [8] Such clothing also usually has more pockets and concealed power and data cords for connecting various mobile devices.

Future

• Philips project SKIN explores sensitive clothing technologies - sensors, active clothes, implants, etc.

See also

• Claytronics
• Scenario: Cognitive Science - natural optical illusions may be used in clothing design to change the apparent shape. Already the psychology of colour in clothing is quite well understood.

This is a factual article as opposed to fiction or scenario. It describes the current state of the field and explains expected future developments without speculation or fantasy.