Image via Motiif.us
ElectronicProducts spoke exclusively to Rafael Balbi, the innovator of the Smart Trench and Motiif Collective. His wearable tech line of clothing is the first of its kind, and is set to change the way people interact with their clothing and the technical world they live in. The day we interviewed Rafael, there was a monsoon-like rain storm. It was the absolute ideal weather to sport a SmartTrench to stay dry from the storm. Read on to learn about Rafael and his endeavors.
Electronic Products: What was your initial inspiration for the Smart Trenchcoat?
Rafael Balbi: The initial inspiration came from having been involved in the tech industry for the past three years and seeing the emerging trends of wearable technology. My proximity to the downtown New York area has served as a constant influence for my own personal outlook on fashion. Both fashion and tech have served as great interests of mine over time…it is now time that an opportunity exists where the both may meet seamlessly.
By fashion I don’t necessarily mean high-end fashion to be on the runway, I mean everyday garments that we wear, on and over us to protect us from the elements while also serving as our representations to the world.
At the moment, wearable technology is all about smart watches, smart pedometers,etcetera. I felt like creating the smart trench was the proper route because it would differentiate the product amongst the myriad of other products on the market.
The original trench coat was worn by military officers in World War I, used in the field to protect and enable people to properly work. At Motiif, we feel that wearable technology is the next step for the modern workforce to continually execute in their field of work.
EP: Did you have any background in the fields of technology or fashion before starting your company, Motiif?
RB: I wouldn’t say I have a technical background per se, but I have a very firm understanding of engineering concepts and a grasp of the fashion industry.
EP: What kind of batteries and wires are installed in the jacket to enable charging capabilities?
RB: The charging pocket itself is a system that we built, run by batteries that you can recharge over and over again. The jacket has a standalone battery that can be charged in your home or at the workplace. The charging station is invisible to the on-seeing eye in its slim look, but it’s also very lightweight. It was meant to integrate seamlessly with how one goes about living through their work.
The jacket is 100% waterproof. A lining has been built in to protect the wearer from the harmful radio signals that a typical mobile phone/computer user encounters.
EP: Please discuss how the Smart Trench works in tandem with Wi-Fi by ‘Karma, ’and how it will change the way the world will access the web.
RB: Karma is an amazing platform. Karma works with a company called Clearwire, which was the first 4G network in the U.S. The jacket contains a special pocket to carry the Karma device while also protecting you from signals that are harmful when placed too close to the body.
And by working with Karma, this is really a step forward to the future in which our garments will be produced. The future is a future in which all of the things we use and consume have some sort of signal.
EP: Since you’re keen on the wearable tech trend, what is your take on Google Glass?
RB: Google Glass is going to take the way we work to another level. As a movie that has always been cited as a peek into the future of user experiences, Minority Report , has hinted at what Google Glass may be capable of. The product is headed into a very open field that is full of possibilities.
The biggest challenge will be in creating an experience that isn’t about providing data already accessible to us (text messages, phone calls). The challenge is in providing something that is unique to our vision. This is a reason I think the majority of smart watches are failing…they aren’t providing things that are substantially different from what is already on your phone.
Glass will provide a thin technological film to our outside environment. I very much like the idea of looking in a certain direction and being aware when certain buildings were developed, or something you wouldn’t readily be able to look up on your phone. I’m a huge proponent of Google Glass. It’s heading in an amazing direction.
EP: Can you please explain the anticipated wireless device-charging capabilities that the Smart Trench is set to have in the future?
RB: You can see what’s going on with future trends if you check out developments in solar charging and wireless charging. We could eventually make a trench that charges from solar energy, but at this time, it’s not worth investing in, and for the user, it’s not truly accessible as something that will give a notable ROI. We have selected the regular charging route for now because it’s more accessible.
Right now, I believe that Starbucks is partnering with Duracell to have their cables lined with wireless charging mats. We see that this is also a huge trend. Perhaps we’ll look into wireless charging for our garments in the future.
EP: Would you like to eventually expand the Smart Trench into a full-scale line of tech clothing?
RB: Yes, the company I launched is Motiif Collective. Motiif Collective is a wearable tech company that’s going to build an interconnected ecosystem of wearable tech products. We’re thinking about bags in the future, shoes, glasses, watches, etcetera. The reason why we’re starting with a trench coat is because it’s in season. A garment isn’t traditionally thought of as a wearable tech item, so it makes it interesting.
EP: Please describe how the wireless recharging process of the Smart Trench works. When the coat runs out of power, how long does it take to recharge?
RB: The coat charges fully in about two hours. You can remove the charging dock. It can charge your phone a total of three times. If you want to change jackets, you can take out the system and insert it into your bag or another jacket, it’s more portable.
EP: Will a coat app eventually be available to inform the wearer about the weather?
RB: Yes — that’s an area we’re looking into. I have plenty of ideas for that, we’re still researching it. There will be an integrated and seamless app in the future that communicates with your phone and computer.
The Smart Trench will hit the market in 2014. In the interim, Motiif iscurrently running an Alpha Test program for the Smart Trench. The company isgetting a select group of people to actively try out the wearable tech for twoweeks at a time, giving feedback to Motiif for optimal performance. You canjoin over 1,000 other Alpha Testers group on Motiif’s website
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