MeMoGa - site visit 2
MeMoGa - Methods and Models for Intelligent Garment Design: Interdisciplinary Approach to Accessible and Usable Wearable Products, a joint research project between the University of Lapland, the University of Kuopio, and Tampere University of Technology
Site visit in Kuopio on 24 August 2004
The aim of the project is to determine what research methods could be used to find out how to initiate projects developing intelligent garments. The project also aims to produce both applications and products in the area of ubiquitous computing and intelligent garments. For example, the project studies the usability and acceptability of wearable intelligence using 3D-simulations and animations. In addition, it has created a product concept in the field of wearable intelligence that can be easily adopted for different users and that is accessible to as many of us as possible.
In a background study, the project has performed extensive interviews with 58 end users in three different factories (in Turku, Tornio, and Tampere) to find out more about garments in heavy industry. Among the interviewees were factory workers, management, and the acquisition and equipment departments. Conclusions drawn from the interviews are that a heavy industry worker does not pay very much attention to his clothing and considers himself as a normal Finnish man. He is not very interested in the appearance or looks of his clothing. He is not enthusiastic to adopt new technology. He uses a technological device as an everyday helpful tool (the technoautistic approach) instead of being interested in just the device's value as a piece of new technology (the technophile approach). He regards intelligent garments positively but may be wary about it being too expensive or physically cumbersome. The intelligence in the garment may be visible but should not obstruct his work. And it would be even better if the intelligence "disappeared" into the garment. Preferred enhancements include improving the traditional attributes of the garment such as protective, breathing and thermal properties. Preferred intelligence includes services such as support for managing the working situation and communication properties for safety and emergencies.
Based on the background study, the project has designed conceptual versions of some future intelligent garments, in practice a set of working and protective clothes for hard workers. These garments should be possible to implement within 10-15 years and in this study they include a coat, trousers, gloves, a helmet and an undershirt. (But, for example, foot wear were left out of this study.) The garments are presented in a web page with all their properties and explanations. The garments can be studied from different angles (3D animations) with features included or excluded. The presentations of the garments also include question forms for feedback.
In the next phase, the conceptual versions of the garments will be tested by end users. The project will use different methods for gathering feedback about the concepts. For example, the end users will work in pairs where they can discuss with each other about the garments and answer a question form included with the presentations. The garments can also be studied and tested in computer kiosks at the involved factories or over Internet (e.g., at home). Questions that will be studied in this test are the usability and acceptability of the garments, but also conceptions about technology will be recorded. The researchers will also evaluate the testing environment and the presentations of the garments, e.g., how informative, communicative and usable the presentations are.
The conceptual garments have been designed in close cooperation between the research teams and the testing should start in October 2004.
To enhance the field of intelligent garments, the research teams are jointly organising an international scientific conference, Ambience 05 - Intelligent Ambience and Well-Being, on 19-20 September 2005 in Tampere. The conference focuses on intelligent ambience including intelligent textiles and garments, intelligent homes and living environments. Technology and technical innovations, design methods, consumer behaviour and preferences, physiology and well-being are some of the topics for research papers and presentations. For more information, see http://www.tut.fi/ambience05/ .
Publications in close relation with the project
- Ali Harlin, Mailis Mäkinen, and Anne Vuorivirta Development of polymeric optical fibre fabrics as illumination elements and textile displays. Autex Research Journal 3, 1 (March 2003).
- Riikka Matala. Sukupuolittuneet kyborgit vaatetussuunnittelun haasteena: malli älyvaatesuunnittelun tueksi. Master's thesis, University of Lapland 2004.
- Fibrous Assemblies at the Design and Engineering Interface, Poster at the International Textile Design and Engineering Conference, INTEDEC 2003, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 22-24 September 2003
The project consortium consists of the following partners
- Department of Textiles and Fashion Design, University of Lapland:
- Professor Minna Uotila, Researchers Riikka Matala, Jukka Mäyrä, Research assistants and students Petra Falin, Mikael Latva, Kalle Pohjanpelto, Mikko Pyykkönen, Leena Janhila, Maria Juurikka; Affiliated Researchers Mari Pursiainen
- Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio:
- Professor Osmo Hänninen, Researchers Jaana Holopainen, Niina Lintu
- Fibre Material Science, TampereUniversity of Technology:
- Professor Heikki Mattila, Researchers Mailis Mäkinen, Päivi Talvenmaa
More information
For more information, please see the project web pages at http://www.urova.fi/?deptid=17234 or contact Coordinator Minna Uotila at the University of Lapland.