1. Combining Fashion and Functionality:

The traditional clothing industry has focused on providing aesthetic value and functionality through design, materials, and manufacturing techniques. On the other hand, the IT industry has contributed to information delivery, convenience enhancement, and problem-solving through technologies like sensors, communication, and data analysis. Garment-Type Wearables merge the core competencies of these two industries, creating new value by adding the practicality of IT to the emotional realm of fashion. In other words, they create "smart clothes" that offer various functions like health management, enhanced exercise efficiency, and safety assurance, rather than just being aesthetically pleasing.

2. Revolutionizing User Experience:

Garment-Type Wearables allow users to experience IT technology naturally in their daily lives. While existing wearable devices like smartwatches and smart bands can be somewhat inconvenient to wear, Garment-Type Wearables, in the form of clothing, minimize such discomfort. Users can collect various data and use services simply by wearing clothes as usual. This is a significant innovation in terms of user experience and contributes to increasing the accessibility of IT technology.

3. Providing Data-Driven Personalized Services:

Garment-Type Wearables collect various data, including users' biosignals, activity levels, and location information. Analyzing this data can reveal individuals' health status, exercise habits, and lifestyle patterns. Based on this, it's possible to provide personalized services such as health management, exercise coaching, and fashion style recommendations. This presents new possibilities for moving away from traditional, uniform service delivery methods and providing hyper-personalized, data-driven services.

4. Creating New Business Models:

Garment-Type Wearables offer new business opportunities for both the clothing and IT industries. Clothing companies can increase the added value of their products and pioneer new markets by utilizing IT technology. IT companies can reach users more closely through the new platform of clothing. Moreover, new business models can be created in various fields such as data analysis, software development, and service provision.

5. Leading Changes in Future Society:

Garment-Type Wearables can be used in various fields such as healthcare, sports, fashion, and safety, and are expected to drive many changes in our society in the future. For example, they can contribute to remote medical care, rehabilitation training, improved athletic performance, and improved workplace safety, and further, they can have a significant impact on improving individuals' quality of life.

In conclusion, Garment-Type Wearables represent a new technological paradigm closely connected to human life, going beyond a simple convergence of the clothing and IT industries. We can expect even more advanced technologies and services to emerge in the future, further enriching our lives.

Current Functionalities and Product Examples:

• Health Monitoring:

  • Heart Rate Monitoring:
    • Hexoskin: Known for its smart shirts with integrated ECG sensors, providing highly accurate heart rate measurements, including resting heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and activity-related heart rate changes. Used by professional athletes and research institutions.
    • Polar Team Pro Shirt: Designed for team sports, this shirt integrates sensors to deliver precise heart rate data for performance analysis and team monitoring.
  • Respiration Monitoring:
    • Hexoskin: Also monitors respiratory rate, volume, and patterns, potentially aiding in the early detection of respiratory conditions like sleep apnea.
  • Body Temperature Measurement:
    • OMSignal: Previously offered smart bras with embedded temperature sensors for tracking body temperature fluctuations, useful for menstrual cycle tracking and ovulation prediction. They appear to be defunct now.
    • VitalConnect VitalPatch: A medical-grade wearable patch that adheres to the skin, continuously measuring ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature.
  • Electromyography (EMG):
    • Myontec Mbody Pro: Uses EMG sensors to track muscle activity, helping athletes optimize strength training and rehabilitation by providing real-time data on muscle activation and fatigue.
    • Athos: Employs EMG sensors to analyze exercise form, offering feedback to correct posture and reduce injury risk, particularly beneficial for weight training.

• Fitness Tracking:

  • Activity Tracking:
    • Under Armour Connected Fitness Apparel: Tracks steps, distance, and calories burned, syncing with fitness apps like MapMyRun to manage workout data.
    • Lumo Run: Smart shorts with integrated sensors specifically designed for improving running form by analyzing cadence, stride length, and pelvic rotation to prevent injuries and enhance efficiency.
  • Exercise Form Analysis: As mentioned above, Athos is a prime example of a product focused on exercise form analysis using EMG.

• Biosignal Detection:

  • While commercially available products are limited, ongoing research explores analyzing sweat components like glucose, sodium, and cortisol to manage fitness and potentially diagnose medical conditions.

• Location Tracking:

  • AngelSense: Offers GPS-enabled wearable devices and clothing for children, providing real-time location tracking for safety purposes.

• Style and Aesthetics:

  • ShiftWear: Developed smart sneakers with e-paper displays, allowing users to customize the shoe's design. The company appears to have ceased operations.
  • Google Jacquard: Collaborated with brands like Levi's and Saint Laurent to create smart clothing with touch-sensitive fabric, enabling control of smartphone functions through gestures on the garment.

Future Expected Functionalities and Related Research:

• Disease Diagnosis and Prediction: Research is exploring using smart clothing to measure ECG and employing AI algorithms to detect early signs of conditions like atrial fibrillation.
• Personalized Health Management: Services are expected to emerge that use collected biometric data to provide personalized recommendations for exercise, diet, and sleep management.
• Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) Integration: Smart clothing could enhance VR cycling workouts by integrating heart rate and muscle activity data into the VR game for a more immersive experience.
• Enhanced Clothing Functionality: Development of smart clothing with features like thermoregulation (heated fabrics for cold weather), waterproofing, and stain resistance is anticipated.
• Emotion Recognition and Communication: Technologies that analyze facial expressions, heart rate, and skin conductance to detect user emotions and provide tailored music recommendations or facilitate communication are being explored.

These examples represent some of the current offerings and future possibilities in the Garment-Type Wearable market. As technology advances, we can expect even more innovative products across various sectors, especially in healthcare, sports, and fashion.

1. Hexoskin Smart Shirt
   The Hexoskin Smart Shirt is a high-tech garment designed to monitor various health parameters such as heart rate, breathing, and movement. Integrated sensors within the fabric collect real-time data that can be used to track physical activity, sleep patterns, and overall fitness. This data is then sent to a mobile app, where users can view detailed reports on their health metrics to make data-driven decisions about their exercise and recovery routines.

2. Athos Smart Apparel
   Athos Smart Apparel uses textile-based sensors to track muscle activity, breathing patterns, and heart rate during exercise. The clothing is designed to give athletes valuable insights into muscle exertion and fatigue, helping to optimize workout routines and avoid overexertion. The data collected can be analyzed via a mobile app, providing real-time feedback for improving performance and preventing injuries.

3. Sensoria Smart Fitness Socks
   Sensoria Smart Fitness Socks are designed with integrated textile sensors that measure foot pressure, stride, and step count during running or walking. These socks track users’ gait and provide insights into their running technique to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. The wearable also connects to an app, offering personalized feedback and recommendations based on the data collected.

4. Ralph Lauren PoloTech Shirt
   Ralph Lauren’s PoloTech Shirt incorporates smart textile sensors that track vital signs such as heart rate and respiration. The shirt provides real-time health metrics, which are particularly useful for athletes or fitness enthusiasts looking to monitor their performance during physical activities. The data from the shirt is synced to a mobile app, where users can review their health insights and adjust their training routines accordingly.

5. Lora DiCarlo Smart Bra
   The Lora DiCarlo Smart Bra is equipped with sensors that track breast health by monitoring variables like muscle tension and blood flow. The garment is designed to provide comfort and support while offering data about the wearer’s physical activity and overall well-being. The data is synced with a mobile app, where users can monitor changes in their health metrics and receive personalized advice.

6. Wearable X Nadi X Yoga Pants
   Nadi X Yoga Pants from Wearable X are embedded with textile sensors that monitor a user’s body positioning during yoga practice. These sensors provide feedback on alignment, posture, and movement, offering real-time suggestions to improve yoga poses. The garment is connected to an app that provides detailed instructions, making it easier for users to improve their yoga technique and avoid injury.

7. OMsignal Smart Shirt
   The OMsignal Smart Shirt is a performance-oriented garment that tracks a variety of health metrics, including heart rate, breathing rate, and muscle activity. The embedded sensors gather this data during exercise and transmit it to a mobile app, where users can track their progress over time. The shirt is designed for athletes who wish to monitor their physical performance and improve training efficiency.

8. Myontec Mbody Smart Shorts
   Myontec’s Mbody Smart Shorts are embedded with textile sensors that monitor muscle activity and fatigue during physical activities such as running or cycling. The shorts provide data on muscle strain and exertion levels, which can help athletes adjust their workouts for better performance. This data is transmitted to an app, where users can analyze their muscle load and optimize their exercise regimen.

9. Vivosmart HR+ by Garmin
   The Vivosmart HR+ is a wearable fitness tracker embedded in a comfortable garment that tracks heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. It provides detailed insights into daily health metrics such as step count, calories burned, and stress levels. The device syncs with a mobile app to provide a comprehensive view of the user’s physical activity and wellness goals.

10. TruHearing Smart Hearing Aid Apparel
    TruHearing’s Smart Hearing Aid Apparel features integrated textile sensors that provide hearing support by tracking noise levels and user activity. This garment helps users monitor their hearing environment and prevents exposure to harmful sound levels, ensuring they maintain optimal auditory health. The wearable can be paired with hearing aids to enhance auditory experience, providing both comfort and functionality for users with hearing concerns.

These garment-type wearables combine advanced textile technology and embedded sensors to monitor various aspects of health and performance. By providing real-time feedback and data analysis, these garments help users optimize their workouts, manage their health, and enhance their daily activities.