Connectivity woven in

TE developed this process at the request of the Google Advanced Technology and Projects team, helping Google introduce Project Jacquard at the Google I/O conference.

"Developing a smart piece of apparel using traditional garment manufacturing techniques poses a variety of challenges," said Nick Langston, Head of the Wearables Lab, TE Connectivity. "An electronics factory is a very different environment than a garment factory, which is prone to high levels of dust and heat that are not optimal conditions for working with technological components. TE developed a process that leveraged the skills and tools textile workers are familiar with while ensuring that the new techniques won't compromise the connectivity of the garment."

To make it possible, TE closely collaborated with Google to develop a process using traditional garment manufacturing tools and techniques to create a smart garment.

With 26m smart garments expected to be sold in the U.S. by next year, TE's work with Google comes at a critical time in the lifecycle of smart garments and textiles as they become more disruptive to the technology and garment ecosystems in the coming years.

"As the smart garment industry continues to grow and evolve, it made sense for TE to partner with Google," said John Hewitt, General Manager, Data & Devices, TE Connectivity. "We are both in the early stages of developing new tools and processes that will enable the evolution of smart garments on a large scale."

TE's collaboration with Google was led by the team at TE's Wearables Lab in Menlo Park, California. Exclusively focused on wearable technologies across consumer, medical, industrial and defence businesses, the lab serves as a collaboration centre for TE's team of engineers, scientists and its customers throughout the design process.