Rise of the sentient clothing? Fashion is coming up with intelligent fabrics

This machine washable smart fibre has the ability to function as a microphone, and hear your heartbeat. Photo: AFP

What if tomorrow, a simple jacket could guide a hearing-impaired person through public transport, monitor our vital signs, or act as a smartphone?

The idea may seem crazy, but it is already a reality. A team of researchers has developed an acoustic fabric modelled on the human auditory system that functions as a microphone.