AI Could change clothing Color
Minor movements might be sufficient to transform the color of your clothing in the future, thanks to a research team’s breakthrough in developing a color-changing textile integrated with a miniature camera and powered by artificial intelligence.
This innovation, pioneered by the Hong Kong-based Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), holds the potential to mitigate waste by offering individuals a broader spectrum of color options for a single garment. The technology envisions a future where consumers can easily modify the color of their clothing through simple gestures, fostering sustainability by extending the lifespan and versatility of wardrobe items.
The fabric, woven with polymeric optical fibers (POFs) and textile-based yarns, possesses the remarkable ability to illuminate in a spectrum of colors. This groundbreaking technology allows for color changes triggered by simple gestures.
Ai in Fabric
The fabric, woven with polymeric optical fibers (POFs) and textile-based yarns, possesses the remarkable ability to illuminate in a spectrum of colors. This groundbreaking technology allows for color changes triggered by simple gestures.
For instance, a thumbs-up gesture in front of the fabric prompts a vibrant deep blue, while forming a heart sign transforms it into a lovely pink hue. Similarly, an ‘OK’ sign induces a calming green glow. The color variations are not limited to predefined gestures; users can also customize colors via a smartphone app. Artificial intelligence algorithms play a crucial role in enabling the camera to discern and respond to individual users’ gestures accurately.
Professor Jeanne Tan
Professor Jeanne Tan, leading the research team at Polytechnic University’s School of Fashion and Textiles, highlights the recyclable nature of the POFs. Composed of polymethyl methacrylate, these fibers can be easily separated from the yarn structure of the textile, facilitating efficient recycling processes. This emphasis on recyclability aligns with the growing focus on sustainability in textile technology.
Additionally, the fabric boasts a soft and comfortable texture, with a hand-feel akin to that of conventional knitted fabrics, as noted by Professor Jeanne Tan from AiDLab.
With aspirations for commercialization, AiDLab envisions a future where this innovative technology becomes accessible to the broader market. Currently showcased in installations at various venues, including shopping malls, in Hong Kong, the technology is making strides toward practical applications that could potentially redefine the way we interact with and perceive textiles in our daily lives.
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