The Future of Fabric

Auckland-based Zephyr Technology Ltd has developed “smart fabric” for the US army which is capable of monitoring wearers’ vital signs. The patented fabric works through flexible sensors which detect and measure displacement, distance, pressure and bio-data. Wireless connectivity and graphical diagnostic tools deliver status updates in real time, or record information for later analysis. The technology is designed to save lives by assessing how well soldiers cope in combat situations. Zephyr’s Business Development Officer Steven Small says the fabric could also be useful for athletes, as it can measure how their bodies react to training.