When MIT and the Fashion Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.fitnyc.edu/" target="_blank">FIT</a>) joined forces to advance textile research and to develop and employ sustainable fabrics of the future, they found that their work was so synergistic that they were compelled to write an instruction manual about their multi-year partnership so that other organizations could replicate their process and benefit from their work.“Transdisciplinary Innovation Playbook: How to build a virtual workshop that collapses walls between design and engineering and kick-starts collaboration to solve real world problems” codifies the partnership between MIT, FIT, and the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), which supported the work, into something of a template that other institutions can follow in order to develop their own innovative programs.The playbook — based around MIT and FIT’s design and engineering synergy — is a model for successfully embarking on innovative partnerships. The manual offers step-by-step considerations for how to build interdisciplinary workshops that prepare students to think beyond their specializations and to tackle real-world problems together. It covers how to find an industry partner and what matters in a successful partnership, how to build an effective challenge, how to recruit faculty, how to plan a budget, and how to create a curriculum. “Use our story to write your own,” the playbook encourages.<h2>Multiyear partnership</h2>In 2017, after a meeting between FIT President Joyce F. Brown and MIT President L. Rafael Reif, Joanne Arbuckle, former&nbsp;deputy to the president for industry partnerships and collaborative programs at FIT, and Gregory C. Rutledge, the&nbsp;Lammot du Pont Professor in Chemical Engineering at MIT, created a plan to build a bridge between design and engineering — and to help boost the textile industry along the way.How and why might their two missions merge? MIT scientists are advancing textile research that could change the world, while FIT designers, long renowned for their creativity, are developing the sustainable fabrics of the future. The overlapping synergies seemed destined for collaboration. What unexpected discoveries might occur if these students worked together? FIT and MIT wanted to find out and approached AFFOA to help realize this vision.The playbook is an outgrowth of the resulting multiyear partnership. Since 2018, students from each institution have participated in three workshops during which they gather in small teams to develop product concepts exploring the use of advanced fibers and fabric technology. The&nbsp;<a href="https://news.mit.edu/2019/mit-and-fit-join-forces-create-innovative-textiles-0717" target="_blank">workshops</a> — which have pivoted to a remote experience since the Covid-19 pandemic — have been held collaboratively with AFFOA. AFFOA is a Cambridge, Massachusetts–based nonprofit public-private partnership whose mission is to rekindle the domestic textiles industry by leading a nationwide enterprise for advanced fiber and fabric technology development and manufacturing, enabling revolutionary system capabilities for national security and commercial markets. A key part of AFFOA’s mission is to inspire, prepare, and grow the next-generation workforce for the advanced fiber and fabric industry.Part of the students’ work has been the opportunity to respond to a project challenge posed by footwear and apparel manufacturer New Balance, a member of the AFFOA network. Students spent their first week in Cambridge learning new technologies at MIT and the second at FIT, working on projects and prototypes.“Collaboration and teamwork are DNA-level attributes of the New Balance workplace,” says Chris Wawrousek, senior creative design lead in the New Balance Innovation Studio. “We were very excited to participate in the program from a multitude of perspectives. The program allowed us to see some of the emerging research in the field of technical textiles. In some cases, these technologies are still very nascent, but give us a window into future developments.”<h2>Many ideas</h2>Over the years, teams of students have developed innovative and forward-thinking projects that have moved the needle on design and technology. A few examples of the teams are:<ul><li>Team&nbsp;Natural Futurism, which presented a concept to develop a biodegradable lifestyle shoe using natural material alternatives, including bacterial cellulose and mycelium, and advanced fiber concepts to avoid use of chemical dyes;</li><li>Team CoMIT to Safety Before ProFIT, which&nbsp;explored the various ways that runners get hurt, sometimes from acute injuries but more often from overuse;</li><li>Team Peacock, which prototyped athletic apparel with color-changing material to highlight an athlete's movement and quickly&nbsp;analyze motion through an app;</li><li>Team Ecollab, which designed apparel and footwear using PE (polyethylene) and color changing material that is multifaceted and environmentally conscious; and</li><li>Team Laboratory 56, which created footwear to enhance longevity of product and reduce waste using PE, while connecting with the community through a recycling app program.</li></ul>“We’re excited to see how the release of this playbook opens up the minds of students across the country to the possibility of working in an interdisciplinary environment, and in advanced textiles. We see a continuing need for a workforce that is agile, innovative, and able to apply higher-order thinking to develop the future of the industry, and believe this playbook will play a part in that development,” says Sasha Stolyarov, CEO of AFFOA.“These kinds of partnerships are so valuable for both teams — the design students get to work in a team environment engaging in the latest technologies, while the engineering students use their creativity in a new way,” says Arbuckle. “So if the MIT/FIT collaboration can be a model for other institutions to do something similar, then these kinds of interactions and the invention of products they create together can help define our future.”“When designers and engineers come together and open their minds to creating new technologies that ultimately will impact the world, we can imagine exciting new multi-material fibers that reveal a new spectrum of applications,” says Yuly Fuentes,&nbsp;<a href="https://mrl.mit.edu/" target="_blank">MIT Materials Research Laboratory</a> project manager for fiber technologies. “Being able to share what we’ve learned through this playbook brings this process to a different level and makes it possible that this kind of thinking will become more widespread.”

Caption:The MIT-FIT Team Laboratory 56's prototype footwear design enhances longevity and reduces waste. Credits: Image: MIT and FIT

How-to manual from MIT and the Fashion Institute of Technology codifies successful textiles partnership between designers, engineers.

Why the future of textiles is collaborative

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unibo.it/en" rel="noopener" target="_blank">University of Bologna</a> has taken its motion analysis capabilities to the next level with Xsens’ brand new automated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/mvn-reports" rel="noopener" target="_blank">MVN Reports</a>. Already, long-time users of Xsens’ motion capture technology, the university has now integrated comprehensive gait analysis faster and with an even greater level of accuracy than before.Powered by Xsens’ powerful MotionCloud platform, MVN Reports provides Xsens users with precise, motion data in a readable and easily accessible format. Once processed using the cloud, data is presented in varying graphs and tables tailored to the study at hand. For example, when the University of Bologna conducts a gait analysis, specific data points – such as the spatial and temporal parameters – will be automatically organized.Stefano Di Paolo, a Biomechanical Engineer, Ph.D. student, and research assistant at the University of Bologna works hands-on with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/products/mvn-analyze" rel="noopener" target="_blank">MVN Analyze</a> system and the new MVN reports, producing gait reports for lower limb injuries in athletes and elderly people. We spoke with Stefano to find out how this new feature has leveled up his lab’s capabilities.Clear and accurate feedbackStefano works within the Department for Life Quality Studies, a research lab at Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute housing a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, kinesiologists, biomechanical engineers, and mechanical engineers (group heads Professor Stefano Zaffagnini and Professor Laura Bragonzoni). The lab takes a multifaceted approach to its research, tapping into cutting-edge technology to continually improve its capabilities. It was for this reason that Stefano and the team chose to implement the MVN Analyze system more than three years ago.“Our studies take place in multiple environments,” stated Stefano, adding, “to ensure the utmost accuracy, we conduct our biomechanical analysis inside a hospital and outside, such as a sports field. We needed sensors that were unobstructed and easy to wear in such different contexts and for a wide range of ages and activity levels.”<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_Field.png?width=423&amp;name=Img_Field.png" alt="Img_Field" width="423" srcset="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_Field.png?width=212&amp;name=Img_Field.png 212w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_Field.png?width=423&amp;name=Img_Field.png 423w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_Field.png?width=635&amp;name=Img_Field.png 635w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_Field.png?width=846&amp;name=Img_Field.png 846w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_Field.png?width=1058&amp;name=Img_Field.png 1058w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_Field.png?width=1269&amp;name=Img_Field.png 1269w" sizes="(max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 282px;"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital2.png?width=337&amp;name=Img_hospital2.png" alt="Img_hospital2" width="337" srcset="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital2.png?width=169&amp;name=Img_hospital2.png 169w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital2.png?width=337&amp;name=Img_hospital2.png 337w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital2.png?width=506&amp;name=Img_hospital2.png 506w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital2.png?width=674&amp;name=Img_hospital2.png 674w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital2.png?width=843&amp;name=Img_hospital2.png 843w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital2.png?width=1011&amp;name=Img_hospital2.png 1011w" sizes="(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 256px;">The research lab conducts a complete clinical and functional inspection, including gait analysis, on patients both pre and post-operation for lower limb injuries. Using the automatic Gait Analysis Report, Stefano can obtain precise biomechanical data presented accurately. Alongside specific parameters and graphs, there is also a digital recording of an avatar completing the movements performed by the patient for reference.This boosts Stefano’s possibilities to share clear feedback instantly with surgeons and physicians, and kinesiologists without needing to spend prior time completing an analysis.“We now have an opportunity to inspect all of the relevant kinematic variables available in the Gait Analysis Report. When I complete a gait analysis, I only use automatic reporting – it’s complete, for both the general understanding and a deeper analysis of the subject,” explained Stefano.Injuries requiring an operation, such as knee cruciate ligaments or ankle prosthesis, can be analyzed fully – this provides the surgeon or physician with enough detail to understand the condition of the patient properly. A post-operation analysis is then conducted to map out a safe return to normal physical activity.Accessible data at speedImproving the level of the feedback given to surgeons is just one of the key benefits offered by MVN reporting – Stefano and his team can also greatly enhance the feedback and communication given to patients.The Gait Analysis Report is presented in a clear and easy-to-read format designed to make access simple for researchers and physical health practitioners.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital_avatar.png?width=774&amp;name=Img_hospital_avatar.png" alt="Img_hospital_avatar" width="774" srcset="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital_avatar.png?width=387&amp;name=Img_hospital_avatar.png 387w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital_avatar.png?width=774&amp;name=Img_hospital_avatar.png 774w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital_avatar.png?width=1161&amp;name=Img_hospital_avatar.png 1161w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital_avatar.png?width=1548&amp;name=Img_hospital_avatar.png 1548w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital_avatar.png?width=1935&amp;name=Img_hospital_avatar.png 1935w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_hospital_avatar.png?width=2322&amp;name=Img_hospital_avatar.png 2322w" sizes="(max-width: 774px) 100vw, 774px" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_data.png?width=774&amp;name=Img_data.png" alt="Img_data" width="774" srcset="https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_data.png?width=387&amp;name=Img_data.png 387w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_data.png?width=774&amp;name=Img_data.png 774w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_data.png?width=1161&amp;name=Img_data.png 1161w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_data.png?width=1548&amp;name=Img_data.png 1548w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_data.png?width=1935&amp;name=Img_data.png 1935w, https://www.xsens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Img_data.png?width=2322&amp;name=Img_data.png 2322w" sizes="(max-width: 774px) 100vw, 774px" class="fr-fic fr-dii">“There should always be a positive interaction with the patient while giving feedback – it’s important the patient understands the needs for each specification. For example, a curve on a graph means something for me as a technician and something else for the patient. The Gait Analysis Report’s visual interactions are great for this,” said Stefano.Stefano’s Ph.D. research is on injury prevention and the return to sport, ensuring that the rehabilitation process is safe and measured. Xsens’ sensors can work anywhere, making them ideal for full-body motion tracking in sport-specific environments. All of the information gained from the biomechanical analysis significantly limits the risk of re-injury.The futureStefano sees automated data analysis as a technology that will become standardized in his profession – even at the biggest research facilities. With data presented in a format that allows instant use, interactivity, and feedback, the automated feature covers all of the primary bases needed to complete a full gait analysis.“One of the most important qualities is the simple way users can interact with the software. It can be used at multiple levels; technical and research purposes on one side, and on the other, direct contact and direct feedback with clinicians and patients as well,” explained Stefano.Discover automated reporting and increase both the speed and accuracy of your research and physical health analysis today –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/mvn-reports" rel="noopener" target="_blank">find out more here</a>.&nbsp;

With Motion Capture for Analysis

Next-level gait analysis at the University of Bologna

For educators across the globe, there is a growing interest in wearable technology for in-class learning and research, enhancing the learning experience in new and immersive ways. Wearable technology offers universities and students a unique opportunity to actively try out immersive technology first-hand, improving the learning potential of the students beyond just reading theory.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wearablesystems.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Peter Shull</a>, a professor at the <a href="https://en.sjtu.edu.cn/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shanghai Jiao Tong University</a>, uses Xsens DOT wearable sensors to educate Mechanical Engineering students enrolled in his Wearable Systems graduate course. The course focuses on a survey of different commercial and research prototype wearable sensors for a variety of medical, sports, and games applications. We spoke to Peter about his course, and how Xsens DOT has provided hands-on experience to his students in ways previously inaccessible.&nbsp;Hands-on learningEquipped with Xsens DOT wearable sensors, Peter took an entirely unique approach to teach his class – students could get hands-on with the Xsens DOT development platform and explore the range of possibilities available while using their own smartphones. This helped students engage with wearable technology in new and exciting ways, measuring and estimating jumping movements.&nbsp;In two separate consecutive lab sessions, eight teams of four students were able to get an understanding of wearable sensor technology. The students were divided into teams with each team being provided with a set of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/xsens-dot" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Xsens DOT</a> wearable sensors. In the first lab, students focused on joint angles, such as the elbow and knee joints, and lab two focused on jumping movements.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjMxMTkxNTUwMDM5LUppYW8gVG9uZyBVbml2ZXJzaXR5IDMuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The students completed simple tasks with the Xsens DOT sensors and tracked motion data, exporting it into a Python script coded especially for the labs. The students were able to use their own smartphones to download the software and the data from the sensors.The Xsens DOT platform is designed to make<a href="https://www.xsens.com/developer" rel="noopener" target="_blank">building new applications</a> intuitive, and exporting data was seamless for the students who, in turn, could predict different movements using simple equations.&nbsp;<blockquote>“It was nice to interface with smartphones this time. It was also great that we could easily provide code to the students and let them modify and analyze the output of the Xsens system,” Peter added. &nbsp;</blockquote>Measure with easeBecause the students could use their own mobile devices, Peter provided them with access to Xsens DOTs at home. Xsens’ wearable technology is perfect for use in any setting and the students were eager to use the platform and have as much fun experimenting as possible. &nbsp;The students were able to take the Xsens DOT systems home and explore, working on the pre-lab outside of class. Back in the lab, they then performed the in-class research. &nbsp;Peter’s wearables class provides an overview of different commercial, wearable products for the students to learn about. But getting hands-on with the products themselves hasn’t been possible until now.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjMxMTkxNTgxODYwLUppYW8gVG9uZyBVbml2ZXJzaXR5IDQuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><blockquote>“Every student was able to get hands-on, and this is the first time we’ve been able to do something like this. Having raw, easy-to-understand data meant that students were able to see how basic information can still provide lots of insight. I wasn’t sure how it would go but all of the students were incredibly excited and learned a lot about wearable systems and analysis, and this was our primary goal,” said Peter. &nbsp;</blockquote>“It’s possible next time that we will offer an open-ended project and let the students decide on the use of the systems rather than giving specific directions. We will have a project component where they can decide what the application is and where they place the Xsens DOTs. If we gave the students at least one lab with example code, they could then modify the code and create their own apps for analysis using the Xsens DOT system,” Peter added.&nbsp;

Wearable sensor class Shanghai University

With Xsens Dot

Getting hands-on with wearable sensors at Shanghai Jiao Tong University

With unit shipments reaching almost half a billion last year and year-on-year market growth of 28.4%[1] wearable technology sector has tremendous potential.&nbsp;Buoyed by the rise of 5G technology, which is ushering in a new era of connected devices, the market has matured from consumer items such as smartwatches and body cameras to workplace products such as exoskeletons[2] and smart glasses, which can be used to carry out industrial inspection and repair tasks at remote locations to transmit health data between medical professionals.The wearable tech sector is fast becoming a major pillar of modern society - amplified by the events of the past 18 months. An increased interest in health monitoring and remote working, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to drive this growth still further this year, with estimated global spends of $81.5 billion, an 18.1% increase from 2020[3]. Although data shows the industry is here to stay, difficult obstacles must be overcome for it to fulfill its potential.<h2 dir="ltr">Challenges with wearable tech&nbsp;</h2>While the wireless technology which allows for this new era of wearables as components of the Internet of Things (IoT) is evolving at breakneck speed, there are critical challenges that risk holding back the development of wearable tech.&nbsp;The first challenge is designing items for comfort and wearability around electronic components which were never conceived of with this application in mind. By its nature, wearable technology should be small and form a seamless part of an existing outfit or uniform. If it is too bulky or intrusive, the tech risks undermining the task for which it was designed to assist. Building electronic devices has never required thinkng this way before. Because of this, designs often include solid and inflexible components.&nbsp;Designing wearables is very much constrained by the extent to which the electrical components inside them can be positioned and shaped together. Along with the design issues, another challenge in wearables technology is power consumption. IoT wearables rely on short bursts of peak power to collect and transmit data. Standard coin cell batteries can have trouble providing the required levels of power to facilitate these peaks.[4]&nbsp;The tasks which workplace wearables are required to perform mean they can not be powered effectively in the same way a consumer wearable can. While something like an Apple Watch will have a fairly consistent power drain, a workplace wearable will have more wireless updates which will be sending data pings. This puts a significant drain on internal power resources.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjI2NzY5NDQ1NDc3LXdlYXJhYmxlcy5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="White bearded man wearing google glass examining a cluster of wires. ">Workplace wearables such as smart glasses have a different power consumption profile than consumer products such as Fitbits.&nbsp;</div>The ramifications of this in an industrial setting are potentially severe. A vital piece of wearable technology that loses functionality during a remote inspection or operation where it can not be easily recharged or the battery replaced could have implications for safety and cost.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Addressing the problem&nbsp;</h2>The wearable sector has turned to alternative ways of generating power beyond traditional batteries to solve the power issue. This includes techniques such as micro-magneto-electric, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, and photoelectric harvesting methods.[5]&nbsp;While solar energy is considered a viable source of alternative power, this type of technology limits the use of solar-dependent wearables to locales where sunlight is prevalent -- not to mention that the wearable must be worn so as to not be covered up by equipment or uniforms. That creates practical limitations for day-to-day use.&nbsp;One viable solution is to combine these harvesting methods, but any energy produced still has to be stored somewhere.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Supercapacitors as a solution&nbsp;</h2>A game-changer for the wearable sector is supercapacitors. Often referred to as ultracapacitors, they store energy like a battery but with significant and superior differences. Rather than store energy chemically, a supercapacitor stores it through charge separation and discharges energy in short but intense bursts, rather than discharging a smaller amount of power over a longer period. This makes supercapacitors more suited to sustaining the bursts of energy needed for IoT functionality.&nbsp;Crucially, supercapacitors can also be charged and discharged more quickly than a traditional battery and can withstand more charge/discharge cycles during their lifespans.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Challenges with supercapacitors&nbsp;</h2>While supercapacitors have significant advantages over batteries in terms of storing and discharge power, they have drawbacks that can impact their usability in wearable tech. Due to their construction, they are hard and brittle, limiting the forms they can be shaped into. As previously mentioned, one of the challenges of designing wearables is the practicality of making them flexible, comfortable, and wearable in existing uniforms and equipment &ndash; an inflexible and brittle supercapacitor, therefore, will not facilitate the ease of design and construction necessary to overcome this challenge.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Flexible supercapacitors from Capacitech</h2>The ideal scenario is to build a supercapacitor with all the technical advantages of power storage and usage but is flexible enough to be built into wearable technology. This is the problem flexible capacitors from <a href="https://www.capacitechenergy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Capacitech Energy</a> solve.&nbsp;The company&rsquo;s Cable-Based Capacitor (CBC) is a flexible and wire-shaped supercapacitor featuring ~3F of capacitance rated to 1.6V[6]. It is flexible, wire-shaped, and can be used inside wearable belts, necklaces, and safety straps for glasses or headphones, among other places such as a product or <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/wire-shaped-flexible-capacitors-deliver-innovation-by-freeing-size-and-location-restrictions-" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">system&rsquo;s wiring infrastructure itself.</a><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjI2NzY5ODgzNjEzLWNiYy5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Five flexible supercapacitors. ">Flexible CBC&#39;s. Image credit: Capacitech.</div><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/introduction-to-cable-based-capacitors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">These capacitors</a> quickly charge and discharge as needed and can be built into the wearable technology itself because of their flexibility. This solves the dual challenges of providing power for the next generation of IoT wearables and having a flexible design to keep wearables practical, comfortable, and retain the ability to perform their tasks. In addition to practical applications, there are also environmental and economic benefits when considering the costs of running multiple wearable devices as part of a wider IoT ecosystem.&nbsp;<div id="isPasted"><div>Recommended reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/battery-supercapacitor-hybrid-energy-storage-systems" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Battery-Supercapacitor Hybrid Energy Storage Systems</a></div></div>A single battery may need to be replaced roughly every 2.5 years, so with an IoT system of 500 devices, pairing a CBC with an energy harvesting device could<a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/7018-06297/infographics/5992-3259.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;save approximately $15,500</a> over the course of a decade.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>The wearable technology market is expanding and is becoming a vital component of the IoT landscape. But despite the desire of both consumers and industry to embrace the technology, it is hamstrung by the limitations of existing power sources and the need to retain flexibility which enables practical wearable designs.&nbsp;Capacitech Energy&rsquo;s<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/flexible-supercapacitors-unlock-new-opportunities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;Cable-Based Capacitor</a> solves both problems. It addressed power issues by discharging energy at the peaks necessary to enable IoT functionality. It also overcomes the design issue by not having the hardness and brittleness of other supercapacitors which make their practical application in the design and manufacture process of wearables infinitely more difficult. Thanks to its unique features, the CBC can power IoT-enabled wearables, while becoming a seamless and unobtrusive part of their design.<h2 dir="ltr">References</h2>1. <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/437871/wearables-worldwide-shipments/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.statista.com/statistics/437871/wearables-worldwide-shipments/</a>2. <a href="https://www.therobotreport.com/industrial-exoskeletons/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.therobotreport.com/industrial-exoskeletons/</a>3. <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/how-flexible-supercapacitor-technology-will-revolutionize-the-wearables-industry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-01-11-gartner-forecasts-global-spending-on-wearable-devices-to-total-81-5-billion-in-2021</a>4. <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.cap-xx.com/wp-content/uploads/datasheets/AB1004-Supercapacitors-Provide-Battery-Support.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cap-xx.com/wp-content/uploads/datasheets/AB1004-Supercapacitors-Provide-Battery-Support.pdf</a>5. <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9058658" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9058658</a>6. <a href="https://www.capacitechenergy.com/internet-of-things" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.capacitechenergy.com/internet-of-things</a>

Flexible and discrete solutions to power storage and delivery.

How flexible supercapacitor technology will revolutionize the wearables industry

For educators across the globe, there is a growing interest in wearable technology for in-class learning and research, enhancing the learning experience in new and immersive ways. Wearable technology offers universities and students a unique opportunity to actively try out immersive technology first-hand, improving the learning potential of the students beyond just reading theory.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wearablesystems.org" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Peter Shull</a>, a professor at the <a href="https://en.sjtu.edu.cn/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shanghai Jiao Tong University</a>, uses Xsens DOT wearable sensors to educate Mechanical Engineering students enrolled in his Wearable Systems graduate course. The course focuses on a survey of different commercial and research prototype wearable sensors for a variety of medical, sports, and games applications. We spoke to Peter about his course, and how Xsens DOT has provided hands-on experience to his students in ways previously inaccessible.&nbsp;Hands-on learningEquipped with Xsens DOT wearable sensors, Peter took an entirely unique approach to teach his class – students could get hands-on with the Xsens DOT development platform and explore the range of possibilities available while using their own smartphones. This helped students engage with wearable technology in new and exciting ways, measuring and estimating jumping movements.&nbsp;In two separate consecutive lab sessions, eight teams of four students were able to get an understanding of wearable sensor technology. The students were divided into teams with each team being provided with a set of <a href="https://bit.ly/3B403S5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Xsens DOT</a> wearable sensors. In the first lab, students focused on joint angles, such as the elbow and knee joints, and lab two focused on jumping movements.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1626350042621-1626350042621.jpeg" alt="IMG_20201112_181629" width="300" class="fr-fic fr-dii">The students completed simple tasks with the Xsens DOT sensors and tracked motion data, exporting it into a Python script coded especially for the labs. The students were able to use their own smartphones to download the software and the data from the sensors.The Xsens DOT platform is designed to make <a href="https://bit.ly/3z1cqfX" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">building new applications</a> intuitive, and exporting data was seamless for the students who, in turn, could predict different movements using simple equations.&nbsp;<blockquote>“It was nice to interface with smartphones this time. It was also great that we could easily provide code to the students and let them modify and analyze the output of the Xsens system,” Peter added. &nbsp;</blockquote>Measure with easeBecause the students could use their own mobile devices, Peter provided them with access to Xsens DOTs at home. Xsens’ wearable technology is perfect for use in any setting and the students were eager to use the platform and have as much fun experimenting as possible. &nbsp;The students were able to take the Xsens DOT systems home and explore, working on the pre-lab outside of class. Back in the lab, they then performed the in-class research. &nbsp;Peter’s wearables class provides an overview of different commercial, wearable products for the students to learn about. But getting hands-on with the products themselves hasn’t been possible until now.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1626350041968-1626350041968.jpeg" alt="IMG_20201112_195127" width="400" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><blockquote>“Every student was able to get hands-on, and this is the first time we’ve been able to do something like this. Having raw, easy-to-understand data meant that students were able to see how basic information can still provide lots of insight. I wasn’t sure how it would go but all of the students were incredibly excited and learned a lot about wearable systems and analysis, and this was our primary goal,” said Peter. &nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote>“It’s possible next time that we will offer an open-ended project and let the students decide on the use of the systems rather than giving specific directions. We will have a project component where they can decide what the application is and where they place the Xsens DOTs. If we gave the students at least one lab with example code, they could then modify the code and create their own apps for analysis using the Xsens DOT system,” Peter added.&nbsp;</blockquote>Visit our <a href="https://bit.ly/3kqfRZx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a> to learn how you can use the Xsens DOT sensors in education or download the <a href="https://bit.ly/3kkVkFK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">educational curriculum</a>.&nbsp;

Getting hands-on with Xsens DOT

Wearable sensors at Shanghai Jiao Tong University

During the first Xsens DOT Developer Conference, our partners and customers talked about their breakthrough application development journeys using Xsens Wearable Sensor Technology. Let's guide you through this exceptional opportunity to learn more about some of the most innovative healthcare and sports market applications. We chose the best use cases for you to get inspired to innovate. The sessions have been divided into the segment's health and sports. You can start with the segment health or scroll down to the sports segment. &nbsp;<h1>Health</h1><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1624015138275-anothe+one.PNG" style="width: 786px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">We proudly present to you a few examples out of the millions of applications that our customers are able to build using wearable sensor technology. But how did we start to personalize and customize the healthcare industry with it? In the panel discussion 'How the evolution of motion tracking technology transforms the health industry', Travis McDonough (Kinduct), Arun Vydhyanathan (Xsens DOT), Igor Ikink (Xsens) and Erica Zelazny (Xsens DOT) talked about it. Watch it here:<a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Panel-discussion-How-the-evolution-of-motion-tracking-technology-transforms-the-healthcare-industry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How the evolution of motion tracking technology transforms the health industry</a><h3>Wearable technology and machine learning: active injury prevention</h3>A lot of us had to go through safety training at work. We learned how to carry boxes around or master a perfect sitting posture. However, is it as helpful as your company presents it, or is it just one more checkbox to fill in? At Xsens DOT Developer Conference, Joint Action Solutions presented a different approach to Risk Assessments by including tracking of our emotional wellness.&nbsp;<blockquote>"We can't differentiate and can't remove work life and home life - they coexist. Stresses we cope with at home we take to home and vice versa. These can contribute further to adding to stresses which will then affect how you perform a task which then can expose you to risk. So we cannot ignore psychosocial factors." - David Bick (Director Physiotherapy at <a href="https://jointaction.solutions/index" rel="noopener" target="_blank">&nbsp;Joint Action Solutions)</a></blockquote>Accurate, reliable, and objective wearable sensors from Xsens DOT can help to reduce musculoskeletal injuries at the workplace but it requires organizations to adapt their cultures so that machine learning technologies could be developed. Watch the webinar here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Automated-Manual-Tasks-Risk-Assessment-a-benefit-or-a-distraction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Automated Tasks Risk Assessment, a benefit or a distraction?</a><h3>Rehabilitation with IMUs and biofeedback</h3>In the last years, rehabilitation is continuously changing thanks to the outbreak of new technological solutions and the insurgence of new needs in patient's care both in clinics and at home. The <a href="https://www.corehab.it/en/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">CoRehab</a> team has started their revolutionary product Riablo in 2013 and already received very positive feedback towards the Wearable Technology powered medical device. We had an opportunity to hear more about them and their application of Xsens DOT Wearable Sensors at the Developer Conference, and now it's available for you as well!&nbsp;A live demo of Riablo:&nbsp;<div data-responsive="true" data-service="youtube"><div data-mce-style="position: relative; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 56.5%; margin: 0px;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6C7zTZCJp64?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" style="width: 750px; height: 496px;"></iframe></div></div>Learn more about the results of a long-term effort in optimizing the design and development of the rehabilitation system:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Rehabilitation-with-IMUs-and-biofeedback" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rehabilitation with IMUs and biofeedback</a><h3>Change the entire wearable tech landscape: Exonetics &amp; The Keys To Success</h3>After excepting the risks of being different and taking the role of the disruptor, Jeremy Milliner and William Suys created the startup Exonetics. From the beginning, they were powered by the idea to provide people with "superpowers" and help them to transform their bodies accordingly. At the Xsens DOT Developer conference, Jeremy shares 5 keys to success that could also help you to move forward!&nbsp;<blockquote>"What if a wearable could make you stronger or faster? What if it could provide immediate first aid or medical treatment? I am talking about wearables that directly make us better and more resilient to harm. Wearables are now a tool we can use to exist potentially in any environment, no matter how hostile the environment is." - Jeremy Milliner (President and Co-Founder of <a href="https://www.exonetics.io/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Exonetics</a>)</blockquote><a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Change-the-entire-wearable-tech-landscape-Exonetics-The-Keys-To-Success" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Change the entire wearable tech landscape - Exonetics &amp; the Keys to Success</a><h3>Addressing Musculoskeletal Conditions with Wearable Technology</h3>AKLOS Health is a game-changing app for the physical health of individuals everywhere. Users can access personalized data from the comfort of home and without the need for lofty physio fees. Sound too good to be true? Not with the Xsens DOT wearable sensor platform! Platform users can quickly track their basic physiological movements with minimum fuss. The data taken from the sensors is then assessed by offsite coaches, providing feedback attuned to each user’s needs. During the Xsens DOT Developer Conference, the Founder and CEO of AKLOS Health, Patrick Pakan told us more about his development journey with Xsens DOT and the inspiring, personal story that kick-started his venture. &nbsp;<blockquote>''I ended up using every major digital exercise therapy platform that was available on the market back in 2018. I was really underwhelmed by the lack of personalized and comprehensive care that I was receiving with somebody's solution. That, for me, was a jump point for starting AKLOS health'' - Patrick Pakan (Founder and CEO of <a href="https://akloshealth.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">AKLOS Health</a>)</blockquote><a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Addressing-Musculoskeletal-Conditions-with-Wearable-Technology" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Addressing Musculoskeletal Conditions with Wearable Technology</a><h1>Sports</h1><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1624015066250-1624015066250.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii">From golfers perfecting their swing to runners looking to analyze their stride, 3D motion tracking sensors provide invaluable data in order for them to improve their performance and prevent injury. You are probably curious to find out how the evolution of motion tracking technology transforms professional sports. We invited René Wijlens (EPSI), Travis McDonough (Kinduct), Jason Konrath (Principia Technology) and Raymond ten Hove (Xsens DOT) to discuss this topic. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Panel-discussion-How-the-evolution-of-motion-tracking-technology-transforms-professional-sports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How the evolution of motion tracking technology transforms professional sports</a><h3>Digitizing the Global Fan Language for Fans</h3>Incapable of enjoying our favorite sports games live and getting bored of TV screens, we need to find ways of getting back the emotions that float around while cheering for our favorite teams and sports performers. Fanmode already started an application that provides a hands-free experience of connecting fans around the world. &nbsp;<blockquote>"The fan language is the most widely spoken language in the world. Whether you're applauding in Argentina, the USA, or Australia, wherever it is - holding your head or putting your arms to the air. It's a universal language, and digitizing it is our mission! As we move forward trying to make the world a stadium." &nbsp;- Neven Murugan (Head of products and Co-Founder of <a href="https://www.fanmode.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Fanmode</a>)</blockquote>We discussed all the unlimited possibilities of this idea at the Xsens DOT Developer Conference and now you can learn more about it as well! Watch it here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Digitizing-the-Global-Fan-Language-for-Fans" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Digitizing the Global Fan Language for Fans</a><h3>Powering the Future of Fitness Technology</h3>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fitlift.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">FitLift</a> is a mobile application and motion tracking wearable platform that allows trainers to effectively manage their athlete's sports performance and provide real-time feedback via mobile phone. The innovation aims to prevent injuries by offering advanced kinematic analysis powered by wearable sensors.<div data-responsive="true" data-service="youtube"><div data-mce-style="position: relative; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 56.5%; margin: 0px;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KWPN4HijoH8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" style="width: 773px; height: 491px;"></iframe> </div></div>We discussed all the unlimited possibilities of the application for weightlifting enthusiasts at the Xsens DOT Developer Conference, and now you can learn more about it as well! Blaine Killen (CEO of FitLift) will tell you all about it:<a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Powering-the-Future-of-Fitness-Technology" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Powering the Future of Fitness Technology</a><h3>Transformation of health and sports industries with access to personalized and customized data assessment</h3>Kinduct is an outcome-driven human health &amp; performance management system. Their configurable, highly secure, cloud-based platform allows organizations to consolidate information, analyze results and prescribe action plans. They work with over 500 Pro and Elite Teams worldwide by providing full support through the sports performance analysis. Xsens DOT welcomed the Kinduct team at the Xsens DOT developers conference to show how more accessible and personalized care is changing the landscape of sports and health industries.&nbsp;<blockquote>"Kinduct is an actual team of practitioners, therapists, elite athletes, and coaches. All of us are patients - we have all experienced the inefficiencies of data silos. This includes: time wasted, increased injuries, chronic pain challenges, losing gains, quality of life challenges as we age. At some point, we will get injured, and we want to get back to the way we lived yesterday." - Jeff Johnson (Sr. Account Executive at <a href="https://www.kinduct.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Kinduct</a>)</blockquote><a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Transformation-of-health-and-sports-industries-with-access-to-personalised-and-customised-data-assessment" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Transformation of health and sports industries with access to personalized and customized data assessment</a><h3>Data doesn't improve performance, the right interpretation and use of it does</h3>After trying numerous technologies, from high-end mocap systems to simpler wearable technologies, the conclusion that one of the ORYX Solutions Co-Founders ended up was always the same. The output metrics always enabled the monitoring, but it was almost impossible to design complete training programs or select exercises linked to a traditional biomechanical output matrix. That's when they decided to go beyond the hype of data and try to relate to the way therapists and trainers think and work. Watch Marcel Tiggelman (Co-Founder of <a href="https://oryxmovementsolutions.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ORYX Movement Solutions</a>)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xsens.com/watch-webinar/Xsens-DOT-Developer-Conference-Data-doesnt-improve-performance-the-right-interpretation-and-use-of-it-does" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Data doesn't improve performance: the right interpretation and use of it does</a><hr><h3>Start building your application today!</h3>With Xsens DOT, the possibilities are endless. We encourage developers to build their own unique applications. Our White Label option allows you to customize a design for the Xsens DOT and have your own logo on the sensors. &nbsp;Visit our website to see what Xsens DOT can do for you.&nbsp;Learn more about Xsens DOT <a href="https://www.xsens.com/xsens-dot" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.

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