Screen Printing - October/November 2019 - 24

HEARABLES

SMARTWATCHES/FITNESS TRACKERS

Waverly Labs' Ambassador over-the-ear device can be used for
instant translations of face-to-face conversations or conference room
gatherings. The translation can also be converted into text and streamed
to the app users' smartphone. (Courtesy of Waverly Labs.)

The increasing functionality of smartwatches has shown consumers
what's possible with hands-free, wearable computing devices. For
example, with this Fitbit Ionic, you don't have to take your smartphone into
the gym to watch Adidas workout videos. (Courtesy of Fitbit.)

training on simulators for generations, but now workers in
high-risk fields (e.g. oil and gas, utilities, heavy industry, and
surgery) can learn and practice new skills in the virtual world
instead of on the job. New wearables are being designed to
improve the effectiveness of VR training.
BeBop Sensors recently introduced an affordable, comfortable, one-size-fits-all high-performance wireless glove
with powerful haptics that virtually feel textures and surfaces
in the immersive environment. In addition to VR training, the
glove can be used to control robots and drones, or help architects use VR to review and present 3D models and 360 images
of their creations.
The full-body Teslasuit uses a combination of haptics,
motion capture, and biometry to provide a two-way interface
between humans immersed in virtual reality. Teslasuit wearers can feel the heat or cold of the virtual environment, and
sense the motion and touches of virtual characters.

translations, multiple Ambassador over-the-ear devices can
listen to the information presented into a smartphone.

HEARABLES
In addition to technologically advanced hearing aids and
headphones, hearables include in-ear and on-ear wearables
that can improve short-range and long-range communications
in noisy industrial areas and collect biometric data about
physical activity, body temperature, and blood pressure.
Waverly Labs has developed hearables that translate one
language to another during face-to-face conversations or group
presentations. As the speaker talks in his or her preferred
language into a smartphone app, the speech is uploaded to a
cloud-based translation engine and streamed in the recipient's
chosen language via an over-the-ear audio device, and then the
translated text appears on the recipient's smartphone.
Waverly's Pilot translator for one-to-one communications
generated more than $5 million in pre-orders and has shipped
more than 40,000 units. The company's new Ambassador
hearable provides personal, group, or conference room
translations of 20 languages and 42 dialects. For group
24

SCREENPRINTING

E-TEXTILES
E-textiles and smart fabrics use conductive fibers or conductive inks to add electrical conductivity, sensing capabilities,
and data capabilities to the textile structure. Smart fabrics
can also include flexible electronic circuits that are printed
on thin, stretchable films. The films are then heat transferred
to textiles using traditional garment-decorating equipment.
One company pioneering e-textiles is Asiatic Fiber
Corporation in Taiwan. Their iQmax high-functional fibers
are designed to make wearable products in five categories:
heat, luminous, cooling, antibacterial, and thermo regulated.
For example, manufacturers can use iQmax fibers to make
heated vests and insoles, lighted jackets and accessories,
cooling scarves, or antibacterial socks and underwear.
To see some of the garments that have already been
developed with smart textiles, visit thewarmingstore.com.
Here, you can purchase heated outerwear, base layers, socks,
hunting clothing, workwear, flannel shirts, hats, and gloves.
E-textiles can also protect organizations and individuals
from electronic surveillance and data theft. On Amazon, you can
now purchase high-shielding conductive fabric for blocking RF
signals from smartphones, Bluetooth, WiFi networks, and GPS
devices. Makers can use the fabric to create their own apparel,
curtains, tents, or purse or backpack linings.
Myant, a Toronto-based company that knits sensors and
actuators into everyday textiles, has partnered with SMK
Electronics Corporation to develop new electronic components and mechanical interfaces for the emerging field
of textile computing. The two companies are developing
smart-fabric applications in healthcare, fitness, and AR/VR,
as well as the automotive and aerospace industries.
In announcing the partnership, Tony Chahine, CEO and
founder of Myant said, "Myant's mission is to connect humans

http://www.thewarmingstore.com

Screen Printing - October/November 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Screen Printing - October/November 2019