Teijin Frontier, the Teijin Group's fibres and products converting company, has launched a new line of sportswear and other clothing incorporating “wearable solutions”. Samples of the new line-up are being exhibited at the 5th Wearable Expo, a leading trade fair for wearable devices and related technology, which is taking place at Tokyo Big Site this week. Teijin Frontier’s stand is showcasing motion-sensing and vital-sign sensing products.

In the sporting field there is increasing focus on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action) cycle, and there is accordingly a growing need for the visualisation of actual motion, heart rate and activity levels to ensure safe and effective performance. With Japan’s declining birth rate and ageing population, the transfer of technology skills to younger workers and ensuring safety in the workplace is becoming one of society’s challenges. Both areas stand to benefit from high functional fibre incorporating wearable technology, the company reports.

Teijin Frontier has developed new products integrating highly functional fibres and sensing techniques. Test sales will start with two types of new product, which will leverage continuing advances in IoT technology to provide new solutions to evolving social needs.

Coaching wear

The anti-slip Nanofront ultrafine fibre wear deploys an algorithm which visualises the difference between the actual motion of the wearer and their ideal motion at a particular time. It is expected this technology will be applied in various scenarios, including the improvement of sports techniques, the transfer of technology know-how and more effective support for those undergoing physical rehabilitation.

Vital sensing wear

This clothing facilitates sustainable and highly accurate sensing of the heart’s electrical activity, heart rates and activity levels, minimizing the noise generated by contact of the body with sportswear during exercise. It combines the ultrafine fibre Nanofront with vital-sign sensing technology, and by simultaneously sensing heart rates and activity levels it can be used in various scenarios including sports team management and the prediction of heatstroke risk.

Nanofront’s high level of grip prevents vibration and displacement of sensors, allowing highly accurate measurement. In the future, Teijin Frontier plans to deploy comfortable and functional materials such as the outdoor sports textile Deltapeak and the stretchable and soft textile Solotex.

www.teijin.com