Coats, the industrial thread maker, has collaborated with Osram, a global lightning specialist to bring out a lightweight and customisable LED light system with application in actiwear or workwear.
Coats Signal Active Illumination is a chargeable device that offers 3 times better visibility than retro-reflective products.
It’s constructed using flexible light guides and can be easily clipped and unclipped from the garment, making the garment fit for machine wash and drying process.
The system draws energy from a USB power bank that is in the size of a credit card and can retain the charge for up to 8 hours – an average length for work shift.
“Combining our deep expertise in textile with Osram’s wide technical knowledge of lightning will shape the next generation of high visibility work and actiwear,” said Adrian Elliott, President Apparel and Footwear, Coats.
He added “Homogenous illumination in garments will literally power improvements in people’s visibility and therefore also their safety. The potential to extend the range to respond to sensory safety detection for instance approaching vehicles, vital signs of the wearer or a sudden fall could create a life-saving product”
These lights are available in a range of colours including amber, blue, green, red, yellow, cool white and warm white, which can be used as standalone or as a combination.
Also, these can be used with different settings in permanently on, flashing or soft pulses. The future development is planned in terms of integration of sensors and internet connectivity to add functionality, which will help further improve people’s safety.
“The convergence of two industries, lightning and textiles, with two leading players in this market presents an excellent opportunity for innovation in our quest to make the world a more safer and enjoyable place,” commented Adarsh Murthy, CEO business segment industry, Osram.
Coats Signals Active Illumination is a low voltage device (5V) and complies with all the relevant standards including CE, RoHS and REACH.
