Electronics Enthusiasts Create Their Own Styles With The Lilypad

Were constantly being bombarded with gadgets and technology that promise to make our lives better and everyday tasks easier

. Robot dogs for companionship, electronic tags to find your keys and fancy running watches to track your time are just a few examples. But wheres the fun in that? (OK, the dog could be pretty entertaining) Wheres the creativity? Devising and building something should be about having a great time and letting your imagination run wild.

Perhaps thats why the emerging trend for e-textiles is catching on. And you dont have to be a quirky scientific genius to get in on the action, build a project and start creating your own styles. And the Lilypad Arduino is the funky gadget behind some of the most engaging electronics projects currently taking place.

Whats the deal with e-textiles?

Its quite simple really. E-textiles, as the name suggests, are electronic items that you can add to items of clothing and other textile products. The Lilypad acts as a micro controller and is crucial to any wearable electronics project. You can attach a multitude of e-textile accessories to a board and then sew the arduino to clothing or other textiles.

Whats more, you can even wash your Lilypad! Theyve thought of everything. Its then up to you to decide how youre going to amaze your friends. The developer of the technology, Dr. Leah Buechley, has suggested turn signal equipped cycle wear and fortune telling shirts. But what will you come up with?

The right tools for the job

Weve already touched upon the need for a Lilypad Arduino board to create soft and interactive fashion. However, youll need to a host of other components too. There are certain staple items you might wish to purchase.

For example, conductive thread can carry current for power and signals. Thats in addition to it being useful for connecting various electronics onto clothing. You might wish to use the thread to add a few LED board strips on to a shirt. Then again, there is more to wearable electronics than a few flashing lights.

Some hobbyists want to find a combination of a wearable item and a fully-functioning gadget. Items such as the wearable keypad are looking to fill that void. Imagine changing the music track youre listening to while reaching for a handy device capable of doing so inside your jacket. You wont ever again have to fumble around in pockets.

Of course, its probably wise to start off with a simple project hence why Lilypad Arduino beginners kits are available.

Youll get a board, electronic sewing apparatus and all of the LEDs and buzzers you need to start creating. And once youve mastered the basics you can move on to incorporating other quirky features. Only the limits of your imagination can stop you (and friends) embarking upon an exciting e-textiles project.

Current developments allow you to perform actions such as checking body temperature and weather conditions. However, what kind of equally as important task can you set your Lilypad? Its time create your own styles to really grab attention.

by:Ewan Fisher

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