Developing smart garments and functional safety shoes

European manufacturers have advanced new approaches to serve changing markets. Innovation was necessary due to growing environmental awareness and various social phenomena. These phenomena include ageing, an increase in obesity and an increase in sensitivity towards disabled people.

The EU-funded MYWEAR (Customized green, safe, healthy and smart work and sports wear) project investigated these new market needs and potential solutions. Specifically, scientists researched high-tech production processes, smart textiles, and personalised green clothing and footwear.

Initial efforts focused on creating a platform to gather client data as a basis for customer-driven production. The platform integrated information from a wide range of health and biometric sensors within clothing products.

These sensors were contained in a textile intrinsic communication layer using textile-based circuitry. For this part of the project, the team had to balance technical performance, technological constraints and environmental aspects.

Other work was dedicated to better usage of light, biodegradable textiles in sports and work garments. For example, researchers investigated new polymeric materials for protective inserts and customised shoe soles.

In order to produce these smart, eco-friendly materials, MYWEAR developed new production systems and processes. The processes had to adapt to customer requirements, and innovative automated manufacturing approaches continue to be explored.

Ongoing research in this area is available on the project website and on the Mass Customization Knowledge Network site. MYWEAR has completed its mission to sustain the development of a new generation of work clothing and sportswear goods.