Touchscreen clothing? Google partners with Levi’s to make some wacky jeans

Touchscreen clothing? Google partners with Levi’s to make some wacky jeans

Levi Strauss has teamed up with Google to create -- touch-screen clothing?

Are touch-screen jeans the future of clothing? It’s certainly possible with the announcement that Levi Strauss has teamed up with Google.

It was one of the big shockers at Google’s annual developers conference, revealing Project Jacquard and noting that Levi Strauss would be its partner on the project, according to a New Zealand Herald report.

Calling it “interactive textiles,” the project aims to weave conductive threats into the fabric itself to create a unique experience that goes beyond typical clothing.

These special threads could be woven into many different types of fabrics. The threads are stretchable and washable — basically the same as any other fabric, but with some special attributes.

What are the practical implications of this technology? Project Jacquard could result in clothes that have all sorts of touch or even gesture interactive properties using standard industrial looms, according to Google. That means you could wear a shirt or have a carpet that has touchpad-like control capabilities.

The data could be linked up with smart devices, so perhaps you could make a phone call by touching a spot on your jacket.

Tech companies clearly see wearable electronics and touchscreens as the future. Google Glass was one big project that aimed at changing the way people use wearables, in this case standard glasses. And Apple recently released its much anticipated Watch, an accessory that had fallen by the wayside as mobile phones made them obsolete, but now may be making a comeback thanks to touchscreens.

But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing in the wearables market. While Google Glass may be a big splash at some point, the project was reportedly shelved, and it’s certainly too early to say whether Apple’s attempt to resurrect the watch will be a success or a flop.

Be social, please share!

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmail