Google, Levi’s devise jacket to help people with disabilities

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A connected jacket designed by Google and Levi's has proved to be beneficial for people with disabilities who tried out the apparel.</p>
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The connected jacket with woven "Jacquard" technology allows people to connect to their smartphone and use simple gestures to trigger functions from the Jacquard app.</p>
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With this interactivity and connectivity built in, one can tap his/her sleeve to hear directions to their next destination or brush their cuff to change the song playing on their compatible music service.</p>
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Jacquard by Google is a digital technology platform created for smart apparel, footwear, and other everyday essentials.</p>
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Google said it worked with Champions Place, a shared living residence for young adults with disabilities in the greater Atlanta area in the US.</p>
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Residents at Champions Place tried out the Jacquard Levi's Commuter Trucker Jacket.</p>
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"We discovered that for the residents at Champions Place a connected jacket gave them a simple and unobtrusive way to access technology on the go," Leonardo Giusti, Google Advanced Technology and Projects' (ATAP) Head of Design, wrote in a blog post.</p>
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"For example, many residents at Champions Place commonly rely on emergency call solutions — usually a device worn around the neck that lets them quickly call for assistance. Those who use these devices imagined how the connected garment could be used as a discreet and less obtrusive alternative while blending into their daily lives."</p>
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One resident trying out the Jacquard connected jackets admitted: "I am not necessarily a jean jacket person. I am thinking it will be useful that I can have a band that can be slipped on, underneath different sleeves or jackets, that way it is not tied to one piece clothing."</p>
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Jacquard technology works for phones running Android 6.0.1 or newer and iOS 11 or newer.</p>
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"Enhancing everyday objects with digital functionalities can lead to products that are helpful, comfortable, easy-to-use and stylish for everyone – including people with disabilities," Giusti said.</p>
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<em>(IANS)</em></p>