e-jerkin developed by PSG research team
L. Ashok Kumar demonstrating the electronic jerkin.A two-member research team from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Department of Textile Technology of the PSG College of Technology has developed an ‘electronic-jerkin’ (e-jerkin).The jerkin is embedded with a circuit that enables the wearer to use it as a mobile phone which is Bluetooth compatible and also as an iPod. The buttons, which include stop, play, rewind and forward, will be in the sleeve of the jerkin. It is also provided with earplugs and a microphone to speak into.Speaking time via Bluetooth is approximately two-and-a-half hours at a time. The iPod can store MP3 songs (audio formatted). The MP3 player has storage capacity of 128 MB, 256 MB and 512 MB. The playing time is approximately eight hours. There are special switches to stop music and attend to incoming calls. A flexible printed board circuit has been provided so that the wearer does not experience any discomfort. LiPo battery with 780 mAh is also provided for recharging.It will also include optical and acoustic feedback for different functions and a customised software.
L. Ashok Kumar, Senior Lecturer and research head, says: “Wearable electronics” refers to the functional implementation of microelectronic circuits into innovative textiles or garments (smart clothes) in a way that is suitable for everyday use. When electronic capabilities are integrated into textiles, miniaturised semi-conductor chips with low power consumption levels are mounted on the fabric in special housings, and thin conductors are woven into the fabric to make electric connections.”“The textile industry stands to benefit from smart functions that can now be implemented by integrating electronic elements into textiles. This is expected to open new opportunities in the areas of sport, security and healthcare,” he adds.
What is unique about the innovation is that the circuit need not be exclusive to the jerkin alone. It can be detached and fixed onto any other clothing like a shirt or pant, to make it into a ‘smart shirt’ or ‘smart pant’, according to him.The research team consisting of Mr. Ashok Kumar and M. Sivanandam has finished the product and is looking for manufacturers for mass production, since it can be used by anybody.According to the analysts from the U.S. market research company Venture Development Corporation (VDC), the global market for wearable computing and communication systems will reach a volume of over $ 270 million dollars in 2007, and is expected to grow at a rate of more than 25 per cent annually, according to the team.
