[Noisebridge-discuss] [Noisebridge-announce] wearables workshop

Rachel McConnell rachel at xtreme.com
Fri Jan 8 19:29:16 UTC 2010


Prior art:

http://www.instructables.com/id/turn-signal-biking-jacket/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Light-for-life-Shining-bright-cycling-jacket/
http://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-add-EL-wire-to-a-coat-or-other-garment/

Mikolaj Habryn wrote:
> On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 4:51 PM, Sai Emrys <saizai at gmail.com> wrote:
>> This reminds me of something I was thinking about recently.
>>
>> How hard would it be to make an EL-wire (or functional equivalent)
>> vest suitable for motorcycling?
> 
> Excellent idea! Demands a kit.
> 
>> A basic version would just have state-approved colors facing front and
>> back and an onboard power supply/controller.
>>
>> One could get fancier and e.g. try to have it integrate into turn
>> signals, brake light, or headlight modulation; have more extensive
>> lights coverage (e.g. on legs, arms, head); have a breakaway
>> connection to on-bike power / controller (are there commercially
>> available parts functionally similar to the Apple MagSafe plug?); etc.
>> Not sure if it'd be worth the extra effort though.
> 
> MagSafe would be great, but I've heard it's so patent encumbered that
> even clone PSU manufacturers cut the plugs off real Apple power
> supplies and reuse them :P
> 
> m.
> 
>> I do think it'd probably be easier to make it as just an independent
>> harness/vest rather than trying to sew it into my leathers; the latter
>> seems problematic to do without impairing function. OTOH, I could try
>> sewing it to what I use now, which is just a generic yellow
>> reflective-stripe traffic vest.
>>
>> I've never worked with materials of this sort though, so I don't even
>> know if EL wire per se is the correct tool for the job.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> This is hardly an original idea, but I've not found any kits or
>> commercial products that do this after a quick search, which I found
>> somewhat surprising given its (IMHO) obvious utility.
>>
>> - Sai
>> _______________________________________________
>> Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
>> Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>> https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
> Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
> https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss



More information about the Noisebridge-discuss mailing list