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Enabled apparel: the role of digitally enhanced apparel in promoting remote empathic connection

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Abstract

This research explores the role of digitally enhanced apparel in encouraging empathic linkage between geographically distant individuals. The research draws from the diverse fields of communications theory, neuropsychology, presence technologies and technologically advanced textiles, and suggests that a nexus of these disciplines may provide significant opportunities for enhancing the user interactivity of garments. The paper then describes a series of prototypes that the author has developed, in collaboration with a fashion designer and electronic engineers, to encourage remote empathic connection through the real time transference of heartbeat. The paper concludes with a brief discussion regarding what has been learnt through the design and development process, particularly the difficulties in bridging theory and practice, and the role of design in the development of wearable electronics projects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Leah Heiss

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  1. Leah Heiss
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Correspondence to Leah Heiss.

Additional information

This paper was originally presented at the Wearable Futures Conference, University of Wales, Newport, UK, September 2005.

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Heiss, L. Enabled apparel: the role of digitally enhanced apparel in promoting remote empathic connection. AI & Soc 22, 15–24 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-006-0076-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-006-0076-z

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