May 3, 2006 – Sensatex, a developer of integrated smart textile systems, announced the beta launch of its SmartShirt System. The system makes it possible to remotely monitor a wearer’s movement, heart rate, and respiration rate in real-time through a conductive fiber grid that is seamlessly knit into the material of the fully washable shirt.

“Following a series of successful tests with first responders and the subsequent development of a seamless knit shirt integrating a conductive fiber system to wirelessly carry physiological signals from the body, Sensatex is ready to begin research and reliability studies using the SmartShirt System in a broad range of applications,” said Chief Executive Officer Robert Kalik in a written statement.

Possible uses include home health monitoring for the elderly, observing outpatients in post-operative and chronic illness situations, training support for athletes, remote monitoring for first responders, hazard materials workers and soldiers in the field, and watching professional truck drivers’ vital signs to alert them of fatigue.

Field testing of the SmartShirt System is planned for later this year. Sensatex is also testing a SmartBra that would employ the same system to remotely monitor vital signs.

Early research for the SmartShirt System was funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Technical Support Working Group.