Imagine going to a concert where the band members need nothing but their clothing to create the same dazzling spectacle they provided when they still carried their instruments. That dream might be coming true this year after Shu-Te University employed X-Static fiber, which emits sounds that are comparable to actual musical instruments via the transmission of digital signals, in its clothing designs.
Department of computer science and informational technology assistant professor Huang Yung-jen (黃永仁) said that a research team at the department has utilized silver in X-Static fiber to transmit signals, adding that precautions have been taken so that the wearer will not get an electric shock.
The team also ensured that the hidden sensors in the cloth are removable so that the clothes could be washed, thus enabling repeated use, Huang said.
Photo: Chen You-cheng, Taipei Times
The research group is in the process of tweaking the design, such as changing the reception device from an audio output device to portable stereo devices, Huang said.
In practice, the clothing would be able to emit sounds when it is touched by transmitting the signals to a portable device on the wearer’s belt, the university said.
Student Tsou Sheng-chuang (鄒勝壯) said he has been playing the drums for many years and using the clothing was not hard to learn.
The sound quality is comparable to that of actual instruments, which could remove the necessity of carrying around heavy instruments such as drums, Tsou said.
However, guitarist Hung Yi-shan (洪誼珊) said it was difficult for her to grasp how to play music with the clothing and she had to try it for three days before getting the hang of it.
“It’s just different without the actual instrument in my hands, but it’s a great feeling to be able to play music wherever I want to,” Hung said.
The university said it hopes its products will help to integrate entertainment and fashion with the concept of healthy living.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) yesterday said that private-sector refiners are willing to stop buying Russian naphtha should the EU ask them to, after a group of non-governmental organizations, including the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), criticized the nation’s continued business with the country. While Taiwan joined the US and its Western allies in putting broad sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, it did not explicitly ban imports of naphtha, a major hard-currency earner for Russia. While state-owned firms stopped importing Russian oil in 2023, there is no restriction on private companies to
President William Lai (賴清德) is expected to announce a new advanced “all-domain” air defense system to better defend against China when he gives his keynote national day speech today, four sources familiar with the matter said. Taiwan is ramping up defense spending and modernizing its armed forces, but faces a China that has a far larger military and is adding its own advanced new weapons such as stealth fighter jets, aircraft carriers and a huge array of missiles. Lai is expected to announce the air defense system dubbed “Taiwan Dome” in his speech this morning, one of the sources said. The system
RSS