Would you like to be able to control your music, answer phone calls, access navigation, and other smartphone features by tapping and swiping on the sleeve of your jacket?

The answer from most people isn’t probably no versus WTF? but none the less starting in 2017 a new jacket made by Levi Strauss & Co. in conjunction with Google, Inc. will allow you to do just that.

Designed by Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects group (ATAP) under the name of Project Jacquard, the technology uses touch-sensitive fabric that is woven directly into the fabric of the jacket, in conjunction with a processor and Bluetooth connector that are built into a removable band that syncs with a mobile application that connects the clothing to a mobile device.

The first release using the technology is the Levi’s Commuter, a denim jacket being pitched as something that’s both fashionable to wear while also representing a practical implementation of the technology.

“Today, cyclists often have to fuss with their phone while commuting on busy streets, which is dangerous…with Levi’s Commuter jacket, they’ll instead be able to just touch their jacket’s cuff, using gestures to control various functions they would otherwise need to pull out their phone to do,” according to TechCrunch.

Smart clothing

The idea of “smart clothing,” also known as E-textiles, has been floating around for years and although there have been some releases in the space, so far nothing has seriously grasped the public’s imagination.

Although undoubtedly Levi’s and Google would have done some market research into the desirability of this new offering, it wouldn’t appear to be a coming of age moment for the smart clothing market, however given the attention given to the Levi’s Commuter word will spread that such clothing not only exists, but will be available to buy.

That said, Google is said to be working with many partners on a variety of clothing styles, including athletic wear, so the Levi’s Commuter jacket may more than anything simply represent a sign of things to come.

Last but not least, and one question that needs to be answered: the jacket itself is washable, but the operating band has to be removed prior to cleaning.

Image credit: Levi’s/ Google.