With the rapid development of science and technology and the increased preference by consumers for high-function products, many products are being developed through the fusion of technologies in different industries. Among such fusion technologies, di...
With the rapid development of science and technology and the increased preference by consumers for high-function products, many products are being developed through the fusion of technologies in different industries. Among such fusion technologies, digital clothing which combines clothing with computer functions is being examined as a new growth item. The objectives of this study are to examine the concept, history, development, and market of intelligent clothing, in order to discuss future directions for the development of digital clothing technology, intelligent clothing (wearable computers) originated in the 1960s from the concept of separating computing equipment and attaching it to the body. This technology was studied intensively from the early 1980s and to the early 1990s. In the late 1990s, studies on wearable computers began to develop intelligent/digital clothing that was more comfortable and beneficial to users. Depending on the user and purpose, intelligent/digital clothing is now being developed and used in diverse industrial areas that include sports, medicine, military, entertainment, daily life, and business. Many experts forecast a huge growth potential for the digital textile/clothing market, and predict the fastest market growth in the field of healthcare/medicine. There exists a need to find solutions for many related technological, economic, and social issues for the steady dissemination and advancement of intelligent/digital clothing in various industries. Further, research should be continued on effective fusion technologies that reflect human sensitivity and that increase user convenience and benefits.