Microsoft works with fashion designer to create pants that wirelessly charge mobile devices

Microsoft Mobile, formerly of Nokia fame, has announced that through its partnership with British menswear fashion designer Adrien Sauvage, they’ve created the world’s first wireless charging designer pants.

Sauvage designed the pants with a Nokia DC-50 wireless charging plate sewn into the pockets. Its placement was purposeful, as the device’s proximity to the plate would maximize the efficiency of the technology’s inductive charging setup whilst inside the pocket.

For those unfamiliar with the Nokia DC-50, it’s a 2,400-mAh battery that is able to wirelessly charge Nokia Lumia smartphones. When the device itself needs to be recharged, it can be done via micro USB.

In a report published on Business Insider, Sauvage said he went through a lot of “trial and error” while designing the wireless charging pants, due in large part to the fact that incorporating the technology into the pants without being a bother to the user’s body was nearly impossible. Matters like heat distribution, let alone the actual physicality of the device (69 x 134 mm; 12 mm thick; and 150 g in weight), were issues that needed to be taken into consideration. 

According to Sauvage, he was able to overcome these hurdles, though he was unable to make the pants machine washable. 

Adam Johnson, Marking Director for Microsoft Mobile’s UK / Ireland office, said in a press release: 

“We have a proud history of working within fashion, having previously collaborated with Bruce Weber and David Bailey, as well as recent partnerships at New York and London Fashion Week.

“Continuing this theme, we are excited to work alongside a talented designer such as A. Sauvage. As well as having the vision to co-create these amazing wireless charging trousers, his style complements the cutting-edge design of the new Lumia 930 smartphone perfectly.”

Johnson did acknowledge that his company doesn’t anticipate a mass audience for wireless charging pants just yet; rather, he said the company was simply looking to create something new and different, with the intention of moving wearable technologies beyond smart watches. 

Another news release on the technology said that the wireless charging pants will be available soon for pre-order on Amazon. No price was listed, but Sauvage was quoted as saying he guesstimates their price being over $340.

Story via psfk.com