Augmented Jacket Imitates Birds’ Navigational Systems

Muchaneta Kapfunde | @FashNerdEditor

Smart and fashionable, how could you not be impressed by designer Birce Ozkan Augmented Jacket? Inspired by nature and biomimicry, the jacket brags built-in technology that turns the stylish garment into a navigational instrument.

Designer Birce Ozkan
Designer Birce Ozkan

When you adorn the Augmented Jacket you will find yourself no longer so dependant on your mobile phone for directions, because this impressive smart jacket has been designed to help you find your bearings when you are are out and about. Featuring technology that imitates birds’ navigational systems, the jacket gives the wearer the kind of senses that will allow him/her to identify which direction he/she is heading. On the the design Ozkan shared, “During my research, I found that when humans lose their way, the easiest way to reorient themselves is to face north and visualize the map.”

Birce Ozkan Augented Jacket
Birce Ozkan Augmented Jacket

Ozkan, a fashion and technology lecturer at Parsons School of Design, embedded electronics that include a microcontroller, servo motors and an electronic compass that measures earth’s magnetic field; and the result is that the black rooster feathers, connected to the 2-servo motors, will gently rise when the wearer walks in a northern direction.

Birce Ozkan Augmented Skirt
Birce Ozkan Augmented Skirt

Created with a matching feathered skirt that also interacts in the same way, we look forward to Ozkan syncing the garments to Google Maps so that the feather movements can communicate left and right turns along a particular route. So is it impractical? for sure, but ask yourself, what stunning beautiful fashion couture piece ever is?

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SOURCEPhoto Credit: Birce Ozkan