Pioneer's Wearable Computer Jacket

i4u writes "Pioneer develops a wearable computer jacket with organic film electro-luminescent (OEL) display. On the photo, Kayoko Tanaka, a PR staff member of Pioneer, tries on a prototype of a wearable computer, a jacket with a built-in display in its sleeve in Tokyo Thursday, June 5, 2003. Pioneer works on this technology since 2001. I also found an article in the Taipei Times from 2001. Back in 2001, the jacket looked a bit fake compared to the one shown today. When the computer display jacket hits the market is unclear."

In the future...

[SpanishInquisition]

your cloths will me smarter than you.

Re:In the future...

[Anonymous Coward]

You say that like a cotton t-shirt isn't smarter than the average American.

Re:In the future...

[p3d0]

your cloths will me smarter than you.

Maybe they will spell better too.

Re:In the future...

[SphynxSR]

It should, it will have a spell check.

I'd say they are now...

[fireboy1919]

...if you buy that jacket. 484k for a jacket?

A good test of foolishness is if one is soon parted with their money, after all. This sounds like something to hear from a carnival barker.

"Step right up! Ladies and gentlemen! Buy our mystical psychic banana! Only $199!

Buy now! Our electronic fish can be yours for only $3000!

Become a cyborg for a mere $484,000! That's right, you can own your very own wearable computer-vest!"

I think I'd go for the banana instead. Maybe they can sell it for slightly l

Re:In the future...

[Humpinate]

Just read, if you can FIND it, "Leaving Horizontal" great, animated clothing, motorcycles and pirates too!

Re:Cool.

[m3djack]

If we based future research upon the answer to the question, "What's the point, does anyone actually need this?", I think we would fail to advance as far as we have today...

Re:Cool.

[Monkey-Man2000]

But frequently people still have an idea what use the research will provide, even if they're explanations are not accurate or complete. I think the parent had a valid question. What do the researchers believe are immediate applications? But no one knows what this might be useful for in 100 years.

Re:Cool.

[zakezuke]

Exactly. Do we really need semi-conductors when tubes work just fine? Given the popularity of radio sets, the reduction in power consumption was most spiffy, let alone benifits of portable transister radios.

Logical applications:

1. Mobile phones. resolves the issue of wrist watch based trancievers being too bulky. [side note, would be spiffy if your jacket phone took off the shelf rechargable batteries] Mobile video phones as well.

2. Mobile media players. Portable media players, wether they be cassette, CD, or solid state digital are subject to being thrashed about on the body, bumping into things, and falling off.

3. Displays. thinner display could be the future to digital paper.

4. Portable computing. The artical doesn't cover input, to me it seems a rather nice alternative to lugging around a laptop.

Re:Cool.

[garrulous]

You hit the nail on the head. Bulk. I love my zaurus sl-5600 but even that is a little bulky to lug around when your running out for a burger. The same applies in spades for a laptop. In some climates a jacket is something you can wear all the time. If you had a lightweight jacket and a heavy duty one you could wear non-stop. THAT is portable computing. I think just about every item of convenience we have today was yesterdays "Do we really need it?" The answer is of course a definite no. But just h

Re:Cool.

[GoneGaryT]

Half a volt. That's been the standard from hot-vent primordial worms to us humans. When systems work off half a volt, then we're cooking with gas. Metaphorically speaking.

What was the question? Damn that Absolut vodka.

Re:Cool.

[Phishpin]

How easy will it be to take the computey bits out of the jacket itself? If we wear the jacket non-stop, pretty soon its gonna stink like rancid geek or at least have a bunch of coffee stains on it. I don't really want to throw down a couple grand on a jacket that can't even be dry cleaned.

nice... but ...

[hatrisc]

can it act as a rain coat?

Re:nice... but ...

[jlanthripp]

The modern phrase is "jimmie-hat"

Oh, wait, you actually meant rain coat, like you wear to keep from getting wet when it's raining. Nevermind.

Re:nice... but ...

[Zebbers]

dont be a fool, wrap your tool! ....

Re:Won' people complain?

[Jaysyn]

No, hopefully a bunch of people will just beat your ass instead.

Jaysyn

Much More Interesting Article ...

[Snork Asaurus]

and linked from that referenced page:

Japanese Transparent Skirts and Optical Camouflage Research> [i4u.com]. Now that is what I call cool tech.

Re:Much More Interesting Article ...

[nounderscores]

"Thermoptic camoflage? How is that possible? [umich.edu]"

________________________________
The Spiders are coming [e-sheep.com]

Grandparents

[doublesix]

are going to love these. You know, the kind of old ladies that wear personalized 'My grandson is cuter than yours' sweatshirts they buy at little booths in malls.

Re:Grandparents

[Pinguu]

You know, the kind of old ladies that wear personalized 'My grandson is cuter than yours' sweatshirts they buy at little booths in malls.
Actually, no, I don't have a clue what you're talking about.

Re:Grandparents

[doublesix]

Have a look: http://www.ezvendor.com/novelty-t-shirts.html [ezvendor.com] Sadly, their website is broken. But you get the idea.

Re:Grandparents

[Pinguu]

wow, that's sad.

Re:Grandparents

[kurosawdust]

pssh. All products made for old people are geared toward those kind of innocent granny stereotypes. I want to see some products for the old ladies who wear shirts that say "I Fuck on the First Date"

Poor design

[morganjharvey]

Wow. It's the first product that seems to be ill-suited for porn...

I mean, what good would the display be if it's moving back and forth so much?

Re:Poor design - not really

[Aumaden]

It would probably just work like this clock [thinkgeek.com] [thinkgeek].

I've wanted one of these for so long

[nounderscores]

I just hope they come out soon.

Also, imagine full body flexible displays so you can either be camoflagued or a human billboard. Or even play live action quake with your fave TF teamskins.

yeah. One suit to rule them all. Change your style without changing your pants.

___________________________________
The Spiders are coming [e-sheep.com]

Finally!

[HornyBastard77]

A real reason to not do the laundary. Where can i get one?

This is gonna be worse...

[snipingkills]

than a yuppie driving down the road talking on a cell phone. Can you imagine someone talkin on a phone, typing emails, while trying to drive and drink coffee? God help us all.

Re:This is gonna be worse...

[ziggy_zero]

right on. personally, i think the world is going to hell in a handbasket with all these new-fangled gadgets that are totally unnecessary (e.g. cell phones with games, e-mail, internet access....gah) - i want my phone to work when i want it to and sound good. i want to access the internet from home on a normal computer. when i'm outside....i want to enjoy the outside. drive around. without hearing any electronic beeps or fancy displays....god help us all indeed.

p.s.
no, i'm not some old guy - i'm 18.

Not sure if you're trolling or not...

[StarKruzr]

But your mindset seems to be a common one of people that forget an important feature of these technological innovations:

THE OFF SWITCH.

If I don't want my cell phone ringing while I'm having sex with my girlfriend, I turn it off.

If I want to take a stroll in Bryant Park without receiving IMs on my Zaurus, I turn IT off.

Why is the concept of control so difficult for Luddites to understand?

Re:This is gonna be worse...

[Dillusionary]

And that is not happening now?

In other news

[zakezuke]

Auto accidents are on the rise with a virus infects high tech clothing. While no loss of data has been reported, users of this new technology are annoyed with when the virus forces their onscreen display to say, "CLICK MY ASS".

Your jacket is now dry.

[sandbagger]

Anyone remember Back to the Future Part 2?

Re:Your jacket is now dry.

[kjj]

Marty: This jacket doesn't fit
Jacket: Size adjusting ... fit

The Pioneer hotshot responsible...

[Faust7]

...deserves a Nobel Prize for inventing the most effective contraceptive to date.

And you thaught advertising wasbad now...

[s10god]

Just wait for the whole back and front of the thing to be a OLED with ads.

And how far off are OLEDs from billboard useage?

teletubbies?

[Anonymous Coward]

This just in, toddler's worldwide rejoice as the fantasy of teletubbies comes one step closer to being reality.

Frosty

[Malicious]

But does it work as a jacket?
1. Can you wear it in the rain?
2. Can you wear it to keep warm, in bitter cold temperatures?

Jackets should be functionality first, Gadgets second.

Re:Frosty

[vermicious]

Yeah, you're right. They really need to perfect that 'jacket' technology... I thought jackets were just a fad, but now i think they might stick around...

Re:Frosty

[awkwardone]

Of course you can! Just press the little button next to the zipper:

"Drying mode on!"

"Jacket drying..."

*WWHHHIIIIRRRRRRRRR*

"Your jacket is now dry!"

Re:Frosty

[AllenChristopher]

-Make a rainproof jacket. -Line the inside with thick insulation. -Carefully slide a flexible display in between the layers. Excellent from the point of view of principles first, but a bit ticklish. Rather like trying to work the shoelace back through the the waistband of one's swimming trunks.

Sure it's all fun and games now

[Exiler]

Untill someone hacks your T-Shirt and puts a goatse picture on the back, or DDoSes your pants.

Re:Sure it's all fun and games now

[The Creator]

"Computer, open zipper."
"I cannot let you do that Dave."

Re:Sure it's all fun and games now

[isorox]

Or puts a goatse picture on the back of your pants

Re:Sure it's all fun and games now

[ralphclark]

Even worse if they put that goatse picture on the back of your pants...

Finally

[tigertigr]

A wearable jacket. I've been waiting for one of these for a while.

Re:Finally

[KFury]

A wearable jacket. I've been waiting for one of these for a while.

I would so mod that up if I had the mod points.

tuxedo?

[alexs001]

wasn't there a movie about this with jackie chan already?

with a display like that...

[Anonymous Coward]

you could make pr0n with girls wearing the jacket while it displays pr0n of girls making pr0n wearing the jacket!

Summer?

[Kjuib]

What happens when it gets to hot to wear a jacket? Will you have to go with out your email on your arm?

Excellent!

[PS-SCUD]

This shirt will go great with my shoe phones...



(Hopefully someone remembers Get Smart)

Re:Excellent!

[GoneGaryT]

Bring back the Dome of Silence!

Re:Excellent!

[pnorthover]

"Dome of Silence"

Or was it the Cone of Silence?! Sic' 'em Fang!

Re:Excellent!

[jarodss]

It was the cone of silence.

You missed it by (___________________) that much.

slashdotted, anyone with a cached version?

[perlchild]

seems the content is on a server not meant for this kind of bursty traffic

Re:slashdotted, anyone with a cached version?

[The Zody]

or....Busty traffic? *budum ching*

Crippleware

[GoneGaryT]

Charlie Uniform November Tango

It's hard enough to get decent jackets for wheelchair use. We gonna get fux0red over again?

Hey son, don't wipe on your sleeve... damn, you've Slashdotted your nose again..

My personal home page

[Anonymous Coward]

This is my personal home page.

See [THIS] photo, taken 0m13s ago from my jacket-cam, at GPS 17"12'W 39"1'N.

To upload a GIF image to the back of my jacket, enter filename here [ ],
then click [UPLOAD]. Please do not upload sexually offending images between
8am and 7pm weekdays.

Click here to [UNZIP] the jacket. >>

Demo Movies

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/projects/MEDIA/xv/ oc.html

1 Year Later...

[Cunk]

Are the sales goons at Pioneer going to be wondering why figures are so lousy in the equatorial countries?

Or do they plan on intruducing hawaiian shirts with this technology, too?

"Sorry I didn't respond to your email, Bob. It was a really nice day."

Brings a new meaning to...

[gilesjuk]

To the phrase "I'll get my coat".

Of course in warmer weather you'll need the computer shorts/bikini, then you run into the problem of water :)

Hmmm, the possibilities are endless

[Phoenix666]

Even better would be a fabric that stops all wavelengths of light save one narrow band. With the right polarized glasses you'd see right through it. Give your girlfriend that snazzy outfit for her birthday, take her to a fancy restaurant, put the glasses on, and you're literally undressing her with your eyes...

Indecent Exposure

[vespazzari]

Is it still indecent exposure if you are wearing clothes that are merely displaying whats underneath? A bikini would be so awesome!

design for wearable computing

[metamanda]

That jacket is pretty cool (that display actually looks pretty good for being so tiny)... but it still leaves me computer-less May through September. Can you imagine only using your laptop 6 months out of the year?

A pair of pants would be great because I could wear those just about any time, but then you have the issue of frequent washing. (OK, well maybe not everyone on /. has that issue, but I do. :P) Having to dry clean the thing would be a show-stopper, I wouldn't buy it. I think it may be entirely possible to make wearable computers washable with the removal of a few components, so I'd rather go the pants route than get a jacket I'll only use sometimes.

Ideally, I want body jewelry with processing power. It comes in the shower with you, but that's probably less damaging than being thrown around in a washing machine... and you'll always be wearing it. I can't wait until my cell phone consists of an earring and a lip librette.

For those who are not so punk, how about belts that sync when you hang them on your belt rack? That way you can always accessorize well without sacrificing your computing needs.

I just want to point out that wearable computing will not catch on with women until they start offering products that match our nail polish and make our butts look good.

Re:design for wearable computing

[per11]

Just get one in October and come April it will be ancient technology. Rinse and repeat the next year.

Karma whoring... again and WORKING LINKS to photos

[HardcoreGamer]

yalla wrote:
Perhaps it would be wise to contact the owners of the sites before posting it to /. in the future. That poor people :-)

Actually, the owner of the site is the one who posted it.

At the risk of sounding misanthropic, I'm getting tired of all the karma-whoring I keep seeing here lately. The photos of the Pioneer jacket [yahoo.com] and blurb about it can be seen on Yahoo News Photos [yahoo.com] but for some reason /. staff keep encouraging the karma whoring by accepting submissions like i4u's, which routinely fail to m

Re:Karma whoring... again and WORKING LINKS to pho

[f0rt0r]

Thanks for the link. I looked that the picture of the girl with the display on the sleeve of her jacket, and couldn't help but think what the MPAA would do after this comes out. I mean, there you are on the subway, watching a DVD you rented, you, know the kind that says "Not for public display" or some such garbage, I wonder how long before someone gets stuck with a lawsuit. Sound far fetched? Not compared to some of the other stories I have read here on /.

Anyhow, I need to get some coffee, cyas.

Congratulations /.

[Lord_Dweomer]

We've just managed to /. a jacket. BTW, is someone keeping a list of all the absurd things we manage to /.?

Re:Congratulations /.

[Un pobre guey]

On top of that, the poor schmuck may even have to spend some money to get it back. On the plus side, /. might be able to charge a fee for site load testing.

Link didn't work

[pcwhalen]

Try this:

http://www.pioneer.co.jp/corp/ir/finance/annual_ re port/annual_report02e/RandD/index.html

Re:Link didn't work

[f0rt0r]

"Page not found"...any other ideas?

Re:Link didn't work

[zcat_NZ]

"Page not found"...any other ideas?

Try again without the slashcode-induced ga p.

People are spoiled.

[agrippa_cash]

In my day all we had was Hypercolor. And we were happy to have it!

What is the point of a "wearable computer"?

[Crazy Eight]

Is it to make computer enthusiasts even more stylish to the ladies?

I can just imagine....

[LordLucless]

where this'll lead.

Some poor sucker is hosting his personnal do-it-yourself bonzai page off his jacket when some slashdot editor becomes fascinated with the topic and posts a story linking to it.

End result? Some poor shmuck, sitting down having a nice cup of tea is burned to death as his jacket slowly melts around him.

Slashdotting

[freaker_TuC]

Hey, Kayoko, I have the same suit on me, Do you mind I give a handshake while slashdotting your suit?

invisibility?

[kipple]

with a bunch of small video cameras on one side, and the panels on the other, you can accomplish invisibility.
almost.

cool :)