The Leeches: reconfigurable power distribution substrate

The Leeches raise specific questions regarding our increasing need for power electric energy in order to feed the electronic devices that we wear on our bodies and will soon be integrating into our electronic garments. These projects address ecological concerns through the design of garments that directly tackle issues of power consumption and sustainability through the exploration of different parasitic metaphors, where electronic modules suck power from our bodies and electronic garments suck power from each other. Central to this exploration is the question: where does power come from in a wearable context and how do we connect to various power sources?
The Leeches dress is a soft, reconfigurable power-distribution substrate for attaching individual silicone-coated electronic modules (the Leeches) that illuminate the dress. They are held in place by magnetic snaps, which act both as mechanical and electrical connections. A single power module can be attached at the nape of the neck. The red LEDs inside the Leeches resemble power-hungry creatures that, once attached, suck or draw power (the metaphoric "blood") from your body and reference the potential dangers of electromagnetic fields emanating from electronic garments.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• electronic textiles
• smart fabrics
• berzowska
• xs labs
• xslabs

[mickeynightkitchen]

Maybe it would have been nice if the leeches interacted with each other in some way / creating mini-brownouts - limiting the power/brightness of each unit?

[djAmiracle]

this is awesome!