Monday, March 24, 2014

The Swiss Army Knife of Jackets!


Seymourpowell has designed a new smart jacket for extreme environments called Life Tech, for outdoor sportswear brand Kolon Sport.

The Challenge
Seymourpowell faced the challenge of designing a jacket for the most extreme environments with functional elements that would be able to save lives in the harshest of conditions.

The Response
The jacket's design and features are directly influenced by extensive research and interviews with extreme survival experts. Seymourpowell worked closely with mountaineers and ski guides, a Professor of human thermodynamics, an ex-UK Special Forces operative and even a Polar Explorer. This research gave invaluable insights that have been used to create genuinely innovative and lifesaving features.

In a sign that the wearable technology revolution is being driven by the fashion industry, the Kolon Sport Life Tech jacket applies relevant wearable technologies designed to save lives in the harshest of conditions and demonstrates the effectiveness of wearable technology in clothing when there is a genuine need for it.

The Response
The various technological details of the design include: a tri-layered system made up of an outer waterproof and windproof, breathable Gore PRO outer shell jacket; a thermal inner layer with a Heatex System (the world's first conductive polymer heating system); and a stretch fabric base layer with electronic device and battery stowage with proximity to core body heat.

Other key technical design features include a wearable wind turbine generator; oversized zip pulls for use with gloves; easy access shoulder and back straps for manhandling a companion in distress; and a wearable first aid and survival kit.

The wind turbine mounted onto the sleeve of the jacket can be angled to generate power throughout the day whilst the wearer is on the move. It can also be removed and attached to the exterior of a tent to continue generating power overnight. The turbine can charge auxiliary devices such as GPS & smartphones for essential navigation and communication. The Heatex System provides up to seven hours of potentially life saving heat up to a temperature of 40-50°C around vital organs. 
GO