DCU collaborate with the Crafts Council of Ireland in Smart Garment development
Thursday 3 August

DCU’s Adaptive Information Cluster (AIC) and the Crafts Council of Ireland have developed a new initiative called ‘Adaptive Craft’ which will showcase the concept ‘Smart Garment’ during the Kilkenny Arts Festival at a booked out dance performance ‘Jacare Jungle’ on 14 August 2006.

This collaborative initiative is the brainchild of Prof. Dermot Diamond, Director of the AIC. Prof. Diamond has many links with the arts and crafts community and believes in breaking down barriers among science, craft, design and technology. Having been approached, the Crafts Council was eager to collaborate and agreed to co fund this unique initiative with the AIC.

‘Smart Garment’ was the winning concept proposed by textile designer Tara Carrigy. She has a wealth of relevant experience and was excited at the prospect of extending her practice through research, technology and collaboration with DCU. This ‘Smart Garment’ will enable the wearer to monitor their breathing and posture while exercising. The next stage of this project is to develop ‘Smart Yoga wear’ and Tara is working closely with AIC researchers in chemistry, engineering and computing on this project.

According to Tara, the yoga suit, when fully developed, will help people practice yoga in their own home. It will incorporate smart fabrics being developed at the university where the fabric itself will monitor changes in pressure. Tiny transmitters will take readings from the garment to show how the moves and breathing are being performed. The yoga suit will incorporate pattern design so that it will not only be high tech and fully functional, but will look great too!

Above image shows a dancer at the Kilkenny Arts Festival’s ‘Jacare Jungle’.

For further information please contact
Maria Johnston:maria.johnston@dcu.ie or 086-8565527.
Website: http://www.adaptiveinformation.ie