GFD writes: "The EETimes has a story about a DARPA program to develop a new class of electronics and system architecture based on smart fabrics. Some of the more interesting challenges include networking protocols and fault tolerance. Routing between buttons? What happens if your CPU gets a rip??"
A bit much?
by
InfinityWpi
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· Score: 4, Insightful
Am I the only person here who things not everything needs to be 'networked' or 'smart' or 'e-' or '-net' or anything else? For god's sake, leave some things simple!
I completely agree. Some things definately do NOT need to be 'smart' or otherwise "enhanced". On the other hand, some things that are enhanced would be great. I'd love to be able to pay a parking ticket right on the ticket. When paid, the ticket changes to a reciept.
Flags that were smart would be cool. Smart fabrics in general are neat because they have the potential to require less closet space. It would be very cool to wear a suit that could change color from business grey or green to funeral black. You wouldn't have to go home to go to the wake of a coworker. Similarly, road workers outfits could change color from the usual to International Emergency Orange (yes, that color has a name)when they're on the job. Smart curtains would be neat, ones that can change color when you want to redecorate, or change opacity on demand (this already exists in windows, though).
I'd hate to see a "smart" glove (I don't want my clothes to know where my hands have been), or a smart beer can (unless it can make more beer). I certainly don't need a smart door, but a smart key would be great (one key for you car, house, garage, desk at work etc...), unless you lose it, then you'd need a backup.
Come to think of it, I can't think of many things that wouldn't be better if it were "enhanced", but those few things definately DON'T need to be enhanced.
-- The Dopester "Yes, I'm a Karma Whore, but I'm doing it to pay my way through school."
Re:A bit much?
by
tswinzig
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· Score: 4, Insightful
Am I the only person here who things not everything needs to be 'networked' or 'smart' or 'e-' or '-net' or anything else? For god's sake, leave some things simple!
Why is it when an advance is made in some unconventional area, there are always those people that assume EVERYTHING in that area is going to change, and they will be forced to change along with it?
Just because there are 'smart clothes' doesn't mean you have to fucking buy them!
Why would I want my jacket itself to be a computer, when I could currently have just as much computing power embedded in one of the jacket's buttons?
This is not just technology for tech's sake
by
arthurh3535
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· Score: 2, Insightful
An intergrated suit like they are developing is for use of critical data retrieval and interaction with computer system with ease of movement and transportation.
This has some nice benefits for areas where you *don't* want to be lugging a notebook around, but need it for your job.
Like deep earth mining, areas of high toxcity (radiation, poisons, etc.), people with health issues and dangerous fire-fight situations.
Imagine a cop who gets pinned down and his clothes detect he's wounded, calls for backup and medical aid all at the same time.
Even if the officer isn't capable of *asking* for help.
Firefighters, cops, soldiers, miners, nuclear technicians, hazardous manufacturers and ailing people could all reap benefits from this sort of *smart* technology.
-- No! It's a *SIG*. Keep the Special Interest Groups away! (Con joke!)
level of supportability
by
perdida
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· Score: 3, Insightful
Unless there are gonna be self regenerating clothes that draw solar power, I would think that it's not a good idea to buy clothes that are going to require expensive repair and maintenance. Or, to create a social or economic environment where such clothes were required.
What's wrong with simple, renewable fiber clothes, which can be produced relatively cheaply and even without much damage in the environment?Of course some textile production methods are incredibly damaging and should be stopped.
Slashdot Mirror
Am I the only person here who things not everything needs to be 'networked' or 'smart' or 'e-' or '-net' or anything else? For god's sake, leave some things simple!
Why would I want my jacket itself to be a computer, when I could currently have just as much computing power embedded in one of the jacket's buttons?
An intergrated suit like they are developing is for use of critical data retrieval and interaction with computer system with ease of movement and transportation.
This has some nice benefits for areas where you *don't* want to be lugging a notebook around, but need it for your job.
Like deep earth mining, areas of high toxcity (radiation, poisons, etc.), people with health issues and dangerous fire-fight situations.
Imagine a cop who gets pinned down and his clothes detect he's wounded, calls for backup and medical aid all at the same time.
Even if the officer isn't capable of *asking* for help.
Firefighters, cops, soldiers, miners, nuclear technicians, hazardous manufacturers and ailing people could all reap benefits from this sort of *smart* technology.
No! It's a *SIG*. Keep the Special Interest Groups away! (Con joke!)
Unless there are gonna be self regenerating clothes that draw solar power, I would think that it's not a good idea to buy clothes that are going to require expensive repair and maintenance. Or, to create a social or economic environment where such clothes were required.
What's wrong with simple, renewable fiber clothes, which can be produced relatively cheaply and even without much damage in the environment?Of course some textile production methods are incredibly damaging and should be stopped.
Goat sex free since 2001