UK-based technology apparel firm 8K has launched an outerwear range that allows its wearer to charge his/her smartphone at the same time.
The firm, which boasts it is the creator of the world’s first app-controlled heated apparel, says the new range has the dual benefit of charging smartphones on the go while “simultaneously delivering essential warmth in seconds”.
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The heated jackets and vests in the range come equipped with a lightweight, dual-port 7500mAh power bank that provides up to six hours of warmth, as well as offering a smartphone charging facility.
8K heat-on-demand apparel reaches temperatures of 122F in 360 seconds. The collection harnesses Flexwarm technology, a heating system so thin (0.5mm), that it can be printed and layered directly onto fabric. The company says this enables the collection to be ultra-lightweight, eliminating the need for additional bulky insulation materials, without compromising on warmth and ensuring body heat is retained.
The three-piece collection is available in black and navy with prices ranging from GBP200 (US$224) for a vest to GBP250 for a hooded jacket.
“8K is about technical innovation and pushing the boundaries of wearable technology in fashion. We want to change the relationship that people have with their outerwear by reimagining the limits of what clothing can offer,” said CEO Scott Brenchley. “By giving outdoor lifestylers the ability to adjust their temperature from an app as well as the capacity to charge their smartphone on the go, we feel we have reached a previously unattained level of style, performance and functionality. Our focus is to create a collection of intelligently designed outerwear that not only looks great aesthetically but offers a completely new experience when worn.”
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By GlobalDataWearable technology is quickly becoming popular in the apparel industry.
Last month students at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) joined forces with thermal insulation producer Heat-MX Worldwide to discover new apparel designs such as lace dresses which can be worn even in minus 10-degree Celsius (-10°C)/14-degree Fahrenheit (14°F).
US fashion major PVH Corp’s Tommy Hilfiger brand also announced it would launch a line of clothing enhanced with smart-chip technology that offers consumers rewards and experiences for each wear.
Last year, Google made its retail debut in partnership with jeans giant Levi Strauss & Co. launching the Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket, which will allow wearers to answer phone calls, control maps and listen to music just by touching a sleeve, thanks to Jacquard threads woven into the fabric.
