Smart Textiles and Clothing: Opportunities for Providing Comfort, Functionality and Insight into Consumer Behaviour and Lifestyles

Significant developments have been made in the commercialisation of wearable technologies such as fitness trackers and smart watches, and such developments have spurred innovation in smart textiles and clothing. Several innovators have developed smart textile and clothing products for sports and fitness applications, and there is strong interest in smart textiles and clothing for health care and workwear applications - particularly as such products have the potential to transform patient care and improve safety and efficiency in the workplace. Smart textiles and clothing also provide a means of conveniently gathering huge amounts of data about consumers - which can provide brands and retailers with invaluable insight into the lifestyles of consumers and the ways in which products are used after the point of sale.

However, some technical issues have yet to be addressed. Key challenges facing the industry include the complexity of manufacturing smart textile and clothing products, and the need for small and extremely efficient power sources. This report provides a wealth of information on recent innovations in smart textiles and clothing.

Furthermore, it examines: components and materials used in the manufacture of smart textiles and clothing; the market for smart textiles and clothing; applications for smart textiles and clothing; the industry's key players; and opportunities and challenges - with particular reference to legislation and standards and environmental sustainability.