Imagine driving, or riding a bike (motorbike or bicycle), and you could just tap on your sleeves to change music, get directions, answer a phone call.

Well, you could, once the app and jacket is ready. Google partnered with Levi’s to create a jacket that can control certain functionalities that you need on your phone, without having direct access to it. According to Google’s Jacquard site, “Jacquard allows wearers to control their mobile experience and connect to a variety of services, such as music or maps, directly from the jacket. This is especially useful when it might be difficult to use the smart phone, like when you are riding on your bike.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ-lcdMfziw 

Google’s Project Jacquard is an initiative to incorporate technology into garments. The project was announced in 2015, at the same time it was announced that they will be partnering with Levi’s. Project Jacquard aims to weave touch and gesture interactivity into any textile using standard, industrial looms, making any fabric surface into an interactive surface – including clothing and furniture.

The functionality is combined into Levi’s commuter jackets and is set for a release this year. Although originally planned for Spring, the release has been pushed to Fall. The jacket was on display fully functional at the SXSW (South by Southwest) conference in the US. According to the Verge, the reason why release is delayed could be down to tweaks in software, instead of production of the fabric jacket itself.

Although at the moment the functionality is very limited, Google plans to add more functionality in the future. The jacket is set for retail at $350 USD (approx. RM1560), although we aren’t sure if it’s coming to these regions yet or not.