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Wearable technologies
DATTA Big Wool Day Out, 22nd June 2017
Kathy Reid
BA/BSc MBA (Computing)
@KathyReid on GitHub, Twitter, IRC, Slack etc
Overview
Current state of wearable technology
Today's hands-on exercise
(Rainbow LED bookmark)
Implications and considerations
Wearables
Mostly gadgets that we wear as separate pieces
Exercise - LED Bookmark
1. Kit components and what they do
2. How the components are connected
3. Construction techniques and tips
Components
Battery and battery holder
(negative and positive terminals)
Conductive thread and sewing needle
Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Fabrics and notions
Cotton canvas - easily see components, heat resistant
Sketching your project
Mark on fabric where the components and thread will go
Ensure circuit connects to correct terminals of battery and LED
- must join -, + must join +
Basic circuit diagram
Stitching
Use three tight stitches on the terminal, and ensure a continuous line of stitching between the battery terminal (+) and LED terminal (+)
Ensure different lines of stitching do not overlap
(this is called a 'cross-connect' and will prevent the circuit from connecting)
Observations
Long runs
The voltage across long runs of conductive thread will be lower than short runs - LEDs further away from the battery will be dimmer
Multiple LEDs
The more LEDs you connect, the more voltage they will draw overall from the battery - and the LEDs may be dimmer.
Implications and considerations
What do you see as implications for wearables and wearable technology?
What ideas do you have for extension projects?
Thank you :-)