Known as “FLORA,” Adafruit’s wearable electronics platform is built around Atmel’s Atmega32u4 MCU. The microcontroller boasts built-in USB support, eliminating the need for pesky special cables and extra parts. Today on Bits & Pieces, we’re covering a vintage arcade game-inspired design by Becky Stern of Adafruit. No stranger to some sweet DIY wearable gadgetry, Becky’s Pac Man Pixel Suspenders will […]
In a recent Gigaom article, Signe Brewster notes that a new generation of textiles is on the brink of redefining wearable technology. To date, a great deal of wearable activity has been centered around companies like Arduino and Adafruit, both offering wearable electronic platforms powered by versatile Atmel microcontrollers (MCU). Though we may have yet to find the easy-to-make smart textile, […]
Adafruit’s Becky Stern has put together a in-depth tutorial that details how to build a GPS logging dog harness using the Atmel-powered (ATmega32u4 MCU) FLORA platform. The project can be completed with conductive thread, so there is no need to break out the soldering gun. Aside from the Atmel-based FLORA main board, key project components include: […]
17-year-old Ella DiGregorio recently introduced a line of “Transforming Beauty” gowns that literally change from long skirts to short with the touch of a button. As Mari Grigaliunas of MySuburbanLife reports, DiGregorio’s sample dress uses threads that run from the bottom hem to the waist of the garment to shorten the skirt when she pushes […]
We’ve covered a number of cyberpunk inspired ensembles in recent months here on Bits & Pieces, including Mell Ell’s cos-play outfit, the NeoGeo watch, Kaleidoscope Eyes and the Flora-powered GPS jacket. Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at a NeoPixel punk collar designed by Adafruit’s Becky Stern that is powered by an Atmel-based […]
Although the Maker and open source hardware movements are a global phenomenon, the DIY culture in China can actually be traced back to the ancient concept of Shanzhai. As Gabrielle Levine, the newly appointed president of the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) notes, China is going to be a huge driving force in the open […]
Analysts at IHS say the global market for batteries used in wearable electronics will increase more than tenfold in just four short years, propelled by new devices suitable for active sports and fitness lifestyles. Indeed, worldwide revenue for wearable electronics batteries is projected to reach $77 million by 2018, up considerably from a mere $6 […]
In a recent ReadWrite article, Lauren Orsini notes that soft electronics rocked the spotlight during Tech In Motion’s Wearable Technology Fashion Show, with models showing off accessories and clothing that lit up, matched moods and collected or displayed personal data. As Orsini points out, a lot of wearable activity is centered around companies like Arduino […]
Forrester analyst JP Gownder says tech companies must create a new type of ecosystem for wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, this ecosystem shouldn’t necessarily focus on developers, hardware makers or service companies. Rather, Gownder believes it should prioritize brands, healthcare providers, retailers, financial services companies and governments. “Let’s be honest: A lot […]
Did you know that mobile users will provide personalized data streams to more than 100 apps and services every day by 2017? Indeed, according to Gartner research director Brian Blau, wearable devices are expected to utilize mobile apps as their primary conduit for data exchange and user interface. As such, wearable devices will depend on […]
