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Smart Fabric

Upholstery May One Day Replace Batteries

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It’s no secret that "smart fabrics" are the wave of the future. Automakers are using them in concept vehicles to control equipment, provide interior lighting, make airbags more effective and more. Now, researchers in the U.S. and China are using smart fabrics to harness and store energy to power equipment — a technology that if applied to cars could replace batteries and be a … [Read more...] about Upholstery May One Day Replace Batteries

Smart Fabric Makes Airbags More Effective

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If you think smart fabrics are just a fad, think again. Automakers and technology firms are continuing to develop textiles with electronic components woven into their fibers that will make car interiors more convenient and safe. The latest is BeBop Sensors, which is manufacturing a seat lining that measures a vehicle occupant's height, weight and movement in real-time in order … [Read more...] about Smart Fabric Makes Airbags More Effective

Ready or Not, Glowing Fabric is Coming

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If you think the glowing fabric in Johnson Controls' "ID15" interior is just another fruitless concept, think again. Roch de Preneuf, director of business development at EFI Lighting, gave a talk at this week's WardsAuto Interiors Conference in Detroit, Michigan, where he unveiled that his firm is developing a similar technology and eager to push it to market. … [Read more...] about Ready or Not, Glowing Fabric is Coming