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Dutch designer develops suit that becomes WiFi hotspot

Catwell

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BB. Suit  (via atelier ByBorre)

 

Adult onesies are making a comeback – and while some of your friends still think their unicorn onesies are super cool with the ladies, you can grab your lady-friend’s attention with the 'BB. Suit,' which turns you into a WiFi hotspot.


How many times have you been driving around from location to location, in search of that precious WiFi signal? Fret no more. With the BB. Suit, even if you’re sailing in the Caspian Sea, you can be the signal you so seek. Super cool – we know.

 

The active onesie fit was designed by fashion designer Borre Akkersdijk, who showcased the technology at this year’s South by Southwest Expo in Texas, where it was successfully tracked via Google Maps and uploaded music. The suit, which looks like a normal hoodie that happens to have bulky, cotton shorts attached, is actually conductive to WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC and GSP connectivity.

 

The jacket is made from cotton that is interwoven with copper wires using a circular knitting machine and 3D printer. The wires hold WiFi, Bluetooth and GSP chips, which create connectivity and can also be replaced. The batteries and processors which power the suit are hidden inside built-in jacket pockets. The chips are not, however, waterproof, meaning the suit cannot be washed, but this is something Akkersdijk has plans to fix in the near future.

 

Since the suit is made from a mixture of cotton thread and copper, the garment can be custom-designed to various colors specifications. The current prototypes look pretty normal as well (if you’re used to wearing onesies), which was the intent.


The Dutch designer successfully showcased the prototype suits during the expo, in an attempt to cast a vision for the future of wearable technology. Akkersdijk believes current wearable technology is “ungainly” and set out to create his own that would be virtually undetectable in public. The suit is the first of many designs to come. The designer plans to have an entire line of “smart” clothing.


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BB. Suit in action


Akkersdijk began experimenting with this type of wearable technology in 2009 and is currently collaborating with a few technology companies to further enhance the suit by making it slimmer, water-resistant and more versatile in various types of weather.

 

There’s no word on when the technology will be out on the market, but we doubt its use will be free. Although Akkersdijk did not specifically comment on the matter, our best guess is that there will likely be some sort of service fee tacked on, with varying prices dependent upon usage. When will the world have free internet access? The saga continues…

 

C

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  • in reply to michaelkellett

    It really isn't stupid.

     

    What this attire is showcasing, is actually a collection of wearable antennae with possible additional circuitry.

     

    You're then opening up possibilities to various conditions and scenarios.

     

    Firstly the antenna in your clothing could be of higher gain than in your 'smartphone', which is often as cheaply made as possible and blocked by simply holding your hand up against it (observe your phone signal as you hold your phone in different ways).

     

    The cost can potentially be reduced, your smartphone can cost upwards of £300, the electronics attached to woven antenna? Less so.

     

    The design? Blatantly this can change, it's cloth and wire (a concept that really isn't new, but the method this was made, is). Which means you could make it wearable for anything, such as hunting dogs or animals used to seek out people in collapsed buildings (for which their sense of smell cannot be surpassed by robotics just yet).

     

    And it'll just wash when the electronics are self-contained, either by hand, dry cleaning or otherwise you're tempted to do. So long as it's not turned on when you wash it and washed with the batteries, you're unlikely to destroy it beyond static discharge anyway; and the article says this will change.

  • Now if he made the suit harvest energy to run from your body movements, then I could see its use.

     

    Think about it.  All of those health conscious people our running in their wifi suits generating hot spots around the areas that they run.

     

    Now that is social media at its best.

     

    DAB

  • This is STUPID !!!! (but thanks Cabe - I like a good rant.)

    Just put  a smartphone in your pocket !

    Why on earth would any one want to mix up their clothes and their phone ?

    How do you wash it  -  or are the owners too cool to sweat ?

    And it looks like a giant nappy (diaper for US friends).

     

    MK (proud owner of separate phone, trousers and hoody).