Levi Strauss and Google have teamed up to launch a smart jacket that allows the wearer to access music, navigation and communication such as texts and calls with the swipe of their sleeve. The denim jacket branded as “Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket with Jacquard by Google” comes with a smart tag attached to the cuff that lights up, vibrates when receiving notifications and sends a signal to the wearer’s smartphone when swiped. It then integrates with the Jacquard app on the user’s phone, allowing them to customise their experience, whether playing or pausing a song or getting the ETA on a destination.
The smart jacket is the first product of a collaboration between Levi’s and Google’s Atap (Advanced Technology and Projects) division first announced back in June 2015 with a view to using a newly designed touch sensitive fabric to allow the garment to send data and power without the need for wires. “Jacquard by Google enables designers like the Levi’s brand to embed digital interactivity and connectivity into apparel as part of their natural design process, allowing technology to become a new ingredient for their creative expression,” said the partners in a joint statement.
The smart jacket is now available for purchase for USD 350 in select stores including Kinfolk in Brooklyn, Fred Segal in Hollywood and Concepts in Boston. From 02 October it will become available online at levi.com as well as select Levi’s stores in Santa Monica, Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
