Programmable Fibers May Give Soldiers Added Protection
Military application was always top of mind for the MIT ISN researchers, who designed the fibers to monitor health, stress and physical performance.
However, fiber-laced uniforms wouldn’t be limited to detecting what’s going on inside the body. For example, soldiers at a base could track the location or environmental exposure of those in the field. Detection of key sounds, such as distant explosions or enemy movement, might be possible, with that information sent to a helmet display or smartwatch.
Loke also imagines haptic feedback as an option. Soldiers may recognize the sound of a gunshot, but the limits of human perception can still make it difficult to pinpoint an exact location.