The AI component successfully predicted optimal heat settings, while the color-changing yarns provided clear visual feedback on temperature levels.
Electronic textiles, such as heating pads and electric blankets, offer warmth and pain relief but can pose risks like burns and hyperthermia with prolonged use. Now, researchers have developed a smart jacket that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and color-changing yarns to regulate temperature and prevent overheating.
Traditional e-textiles integrate sensors to track heart rate, movement, and temperature, often connecting to mobile apps for control. However, users—especially older adults—remain vulnerable to heat-related injuries. To enhance safety, Jeanne Tan and her team designed an AI-powered fabric that automatically adjusts temperature while providing real-time visual indicators.
The smart jacket is made from an innovative e-textile incorporating silver-coated, heat-generating yarn for a flexible and lightweight design. It also features two types of thermochromic yarn that change color to display temperature. The jacket’s AI-based system was trained on data from 50 individuals of various ages, genders, and body types, who specified their preferred heating levels in different environmental conditions.
For added safety, the thermochromic yarn transitions from purple to pink when the temperature exceeds 86°F (30°C), allowing easy daytime monitoring. At night or in low-light settings, polymeric optical fiber yarn glows in different colors—blue at 86°F (30°C), yellow at 104°F (40°C), and red at 122°F (50°C)—to indicate heating levels.
During testing, the smart jacket effectively maintained a comfortable temperature for users, even as external conditions changed. Looking ahead, researchers envision broader applications for this technology, including heated car seats, furniture, and even spacesuits. By combining AI with advanced textiles, this innovation paves the way for safer, more adaptable wearable heating solutions.
