Google' Advanced Technology and Project has always had a vision to create innovative products, such as wearables that are equipped with surfaces that can be controlled by gestures. Such is its collaboration with Levi's Project Jacquard which has produced the first smart jacket with the features they've imagined.
The smart jacket called Levi's Commuter Jacket was introduced in 2016 and brought to the SXSW in Austin, Texas this week. The smart jacket is made up of a conductive fabric and equipped with a Bluetooth device attached to the jacket.
The interactive surface is connected by 15 threads that respond when you touch or made gestures on the sleeve. Those gestures are then sent to your phone through the Bluetooth device attached to it.
You can do various activities, such as find out the time or listen to music, just by swiping or brushing the jacket with your fingers. The companion app called the Project Jacquard enables you to choose what kind of gesture will correspond to the activity.
The conductive threads are totally flexible and washable. However, the cuff links need to be removed before washing the jacket because that's where the electronics are.
A Google spokesperson said via The Verge that they are still testing it to ensure consumers will have the best experience once it's out in the market. Google is set to release it this fall. Although it was originally planned for a spring release, Google said that it has delayed the launch because they are still refining some parts to it although they did not clarify which part.
Levi's on the other hand, said that they are looking to add more gestures to the app. Thus, it might be that the app still needs refining before they can really sell it to the market. The jacket is reportedly going to cost around $350.
