Fabric based sensing - a challenge in physiological monitoring devices

New Zealand - Zephyr Technology, New Zealand and SIGMA SPORT® Germany announce an OEM agreement whereby Zephyr will supply best-in-class smart fabric-based, heart rate monitoring (HRM) products. SIGMA SPORT® will brand and market these products under their COMFORTEX range of Heart Rate Monitor products.

 

"Fabric-based sensing is the penultimate challenge in a physiological monitoring device," says Frank Sirringhaus, Managing Director of SIGMA SPORT®. This collaborative effort replaces traditional plastic-encased heart rate monitor sensors solving the problem of working under extreme activity. This ensures COMFORTEX provides the amateur and professional athlete the ultimate in comfort, fit and wearability while helping to measure and manage their training and fitness regimes.

 

"We're delighted to team up with SIGMA SPORT® a world market leader in bike computers and heart rate monitoring devices to deliver fabric-based sensing products," says Brian Russell, Zephyr CEO.

 

This partnership provides for the incorporation of Zephyr's advanced fabric-based sensors, electronics and BioSense algorithms into COMFORTEX to overcome the discomfort of plastic straps and improve efficacy. Additionally, Smart Fabric sensing allows for the integration of Zephyr's patented sensors into garments producing the ultimate in comfort, fit and performance. These products are comfortable to wear and communicate with web, phone and watch applications.

 

The convergence of wireless networks and connectivity, mobile phone applications and web-based interactivity allow Zephyr's products to be utilized in diverse markets such as consumer sports and wellness, telehealth, medical, professional sport, first responder and the military.

 

For more on smart fabrics attend Printed Electronics Europe 2008.