Tag Archives: OMSignal
OMsignal’s biometric sports bra hits stores this spring
OMsignal’s biometric sports bra hits stores this spring
Ralph Lauren and OMSignal Launch Smart Shirt That Tracks Breathing
Haute couture designers often surprise the world by creating unusual apparel. This time, Ralph Lauren collaborated with biotech firm OMSignal to develop a compression garment that collects biometric data and sends it to smartphones and tablets.
The Polo Tech shirt developed by the two companies will make its debut at the U.S. Open, but contrary to people’s expectations, it won’t be worn by the tennis players. Instead, the ball boys at the tournament will show the world how biometric data is collected with the help of a smart sensor.
OmSignal co-founder and CEO Stephane Marceau explained how the collaboration with Ralph Lauren started on the right foot from the very first meeting: “From the first meeting, we realized David [Lauren] and the team had a very clear point of view on wearable. They were immersed in it, they were very aware of what was going on.”
Marceau also explained that “The shirt is the sensor. We capture what we call the ‘ABC’ of health and wellness. A is for activity, movement…B is for breathing, C is for Cardiac”
David Lauren is aware that the Polo Tech shirt is the first of its kind in the fashion industry, and is quite enthusiastic about that: “Small niche brands have been attempting [smart clothing]. This is definitely the most forward, most cutting edge of all of them, for what we can tell, and merging it with our brand, the sophistication of our fabrics, the lifestyle philosophy is equally important.”
Lauren also explained that fashion should align to modern times, and that wearable technology plays a great role in that: “Our goal is to create and reflect the ultimate lifestyle, and we believe that a healthy and active life is an essential part of that. Ralph Lauren is excited to help lead the industry in wearable technology in this ever-evolving, modern world.”
In the not so distant future, this technology will make its way into Polo shirts, suits, and baby clothes. Lauren pointed out that “This fabric, this material can be used to help you live a better life at any age.”
As clothes finally gain some additional functionality, Lauren admits that “Our goal is to recognize the fact that this market is wanting a life that not only looks better, but actually feels better and is a healthier life.”
Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Cityzen smart shirt that acts like a fitness tracker, and the OMSignal workout clothes that share biometric data with your smartphone.
OMsignal’s Workout Clothes Share Biometric Data with Your Smartphone
The compression garments developed by OMsignal collect vital details about your workout and send them to your smartphone, so you can quantify yourself and your performance over various periods of time.
The term wearable tech has a more literal meaning with each passing day. Biometric sensors are moving from wristbands and smartwatches to smart clothes and socks. After all, the best way to track fitness performance is to cover as great of a body area as possible.
Stéphane Marceau, CEO and co-founder of OMsignal, explained the necessity for biometric shirts: “We’ve been wearing clothing all our lives. It’s the most natural and therefore the ultimate ‘wearable’ medium. Clothing has always been about protection and fashion, but it will now also help motivate us to better ourselves every day. You would never drive a car without a speedometer, RPM or a fuel gauge, right? Well, with OM, you now get a dashboard to better steer your life, to increase your self-mastery, to push your fitness performance, and live a healthier lifestyle.”
Marceau also explained how the technology behind biometric sensors evolved in the recent years, and how wearables based on such sensors became a reality: “Exercise physiology research has defined human performance through intricate lab studies, but the technologies researchers use were never available for everyday and the aspiring athlete. You could never bring hospital or lab-type equipment with you on the court or track. OMsignal now makes it easy to track biometrics in real time, in real life and during sports activity. At OMsignal we’ve focused on giving consumers quality insights on performance, taking the research a step further to guide users to their peak performance.”
If it wasn’t obvious enough from the previous picture, then I’ll tell you that the OMsignal smart fitness shirts come in four styles: with long or short sleeves, with no sleeves at all and… I can’t seem to be able to pin the fourth style. Anyway, there seems to be a style and size for everybody, regardless if they’re working out indoors or outdoors.
The company is already taking pre-orders, and the biometric shirts are expected to be shipped this summer. A kit comprising a t-shirt and a smart black box that sends biometric data to your smartphone can be owned for $199, but the retail price is expected to be higher.
Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Sensoria smart sock and the Cityzen smart shirt that acts as a fitness tracker.