For this project, I am making an item of clothing or something that can be worn that lights up. The final object needs to be portable and cannot be plugged into a wall socket.

The Daft Punk light suits led me to look into Electroluminescent wire (EL wire). Connecting EL wire to an arduino requires an inverter to convert DC to AC, so it will more difficult than LEDs but the wider light area will be worth the trouble.

This low polygon mask by Eric Testroete and other wire frame models have inspired me to create a mask in the shape of a simple geometric human head.

The mask will be made from flat planes of diffusing material, perhaps some sort of plastic film. El wire inside the mask will cause the head to light up uniformly. The EL wire could be triggered by sound or switches mounted beneath the wearers shoes. Air circulation and visibility will have to be considered, possibly black mesh could cover the eyes and mouth.

I am researching the following items of wearable technology:

Nintendo Power glove

Daft punk light suits

LED hoodie bomb scare

In the process of technology becoming wireless and more portable, it has now indeed become wearable. From electronic fashion accessories to health monitoring products, wearable technology is a new growing area of interdisciplinary research.