Textronics Inc. built health monitoring into clothing itself, weaving a textile-based electrode system into sports apparel so the garment reads bio-physiological signals directly from the wearer.
How it works
Special conductive sensing fibers, which stretch with the fabric, are woven into the chest area of the garment. These act as electrodes, picking up signals from the body without any separate device touching the skin.
The collected data transmits through a small unit that slips into a pocket in the garment, sending readings to a compatible wristwatch or monitor.
The system covers heart rate, respiration and body temperature.
Why it beats a chest strap
This is the practical argument for the whole approach. Conventional heart rate monitoring uses a chest strap, and chest straps have well-known problems: they slip during activity, they work loose, and they irritate the skin over a long session.
A garment with the sensor woven into it has none of those failure modes, because there is no separate band to move. The sensing element is the shirt.
The NuMetrex range
The garments were sold under the NuMetrex Fitness Apparel brand and included:
- A heart sensing sports bra
- A heart sensing racer tank
- A cardio shirt for men
The racer tank in detail
The tank includes a built-in bra with sensing fibers knitted into the nylon or Lycra it is made from, monitoring heart rate directly. A small transmitter slips into a pocket in the bra and sends data to a monitor, giving immediate feedback along with a calorie count.
It is washable and quick drying.
Practical points
- Reusable and washable like ordinary clothing, which is the requirement any wearable sensor has to meet to be usable.
- Priced between US $50 and $59.
- Patented, with Textronics awarded a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Who it suits
Athletes tracking training load, and people with heart conditions who need continuous monitoring without wearing medical equipment. The second group is where the design matters most, since a garment is something you will keep wearing and a chest strap frequently is not.
Frequently asked questions
How does a shirt measure heart rate?
Conductive sensing fibers woven into the chest area act as electrodes, picking up signals from the body without a separate device against the skin.
Can these garments be washed?
Yes. They are reusable and washable like ordinary clothing, with the transmitter removed from its pocket.
What do they measure?
Heart rate, respiration and body temperature.
This report dates from 2009. See also our fitness clothing guide.
