NUS researchers built a touchscreen directly into a sleeve, creating a 96-by-54-pixel display that shows images, plays video and responds to multi-touch input.
54 electronic fibers—each carrying 96 LEDs and touch-sensing layers—were woven into the garment, with more than 5,000 microchips linked through over 20,000 electrical connections.
50 detergent wash cycles left brightness and touch response nearly unchanged, while the fibers also withstood 1,000 bending cycles and kept breathability comparable to cotton and polyester.
The prototype already runs a calculator, compass and temperature readout, receives images over Bluetooth, and supports voice commands through integrated microphone and speaker fibers.
External batteries and control electronics still limit everyday use, and higher resolution, lower costs, privacy safeguards and fuller integration remain hurdles before commercialization.