Openwear: Revolutionizing Wearable Tech with Magnetic Innovation

Leijing Zhou's Openwear Toolkit Wins Iron A' Design Award 2024

Wearable technology has been a burgeoning field, yet its development often encounters practical hurdles. Traditional methods of integrating circuits into textiles are labor-intensive, requiring meticulous sewing that can deter novices and slow down experienced designers alike. Openwear, the latest innovation by Leijing Zhou and team, tackles this issue head-on with a magnetic twist inspired by the simplicity of magnetic buttons. This toolkit not only streamlines the prototype creation process but also garners the prestigious Iron A' Design Award for its ingenuity in product engineering and technical design.

The Openwear toolkit stands out with its unique properties. It includes a modified Lilypad USB development board and 11 specially crafted modules that come with quick-connecting cables. Unlike conventional wearable circuit construction, Openwear's magnetic backing allows for rapid assembly and disassembly, fostering an environment where creativity is not hindered by the tediousness of sewing. Each module is equipped with a magnet and O-connectors, enabling designers to swiftly build and test their wearable concepts directly on the fabric.

Leijing Zhou's team, including Xin An, Yiqing Zhang, and Yang Mao, has meticulously engineered the Openwear toolkit. The development board and modules are compact, with the board measuring ϕ50*1mm and each module ϕ25*1mm. The integration of a 10mm diameter magnet on the bottom of the board and modules, along with the use of O-connectors and bolts, ensures a secure and quick connection compatible with the 3mm pin sizes on the PCB.

The Openwear toolkit's interaction design is intuitive and user-friendly. It allows for the initial assembly of modules on a flat surface for circuit testing and debugging. Once the design is refined, the modules can be repositioned on the body for further testing. For the final wearable circuit, designers have the option to sew components onto fabric with conductive yarn or use the sewing magnet fixing pads for a non-permanent solution, adding to the versatility of the design.

The conception of Openwear began in August 2023 in Ningbo and reached completion in January 2024. The design team's research identified the limitations of existing wearable circuit development boards, such as the LilyPad, which, despite various iterations, did not significantly simplify the prototyping process. Openwear's magnetic solution emerged as a creative triumph over the technical challenge of achieving rapid PCB fixing and connection, a first in the field of e-textiles.

Openwear's recognition with the Iron A' Design Award underscores its role as a well-designed, practical, and innovative creation that meets professional and industrial requirements. By enabling rapid prototyping and ease of use, Openwear not only facilitates the creative process for designers but also contributes to the advancement of wearable technology, paving the way for a more connected and technologically integrated lifestyle.