Companies partner to make smart health wearables

Taiwanese companies SINBON and MAKALOT are partnering in smart textile health and fitness wearables that could also incorporate artificial intelligence (AI). SINBON creates electronic components for medical, automotive, green energy, industrial and communication sectors, and MAKALOT has expertise in electronic integration into textiles.

The companies’ first joint project was a prototype home fitness suit that incorporates electrical muscle stimulation technology and is a Class II medical device. SINBON developed soft, flexible electronic components for the suit, which is completely machine washable. 

“We are excited about the potentials and opportunities that textile wearables might bring,” says Jimmy Chou, MAKALOT product innovation manager. He cited the promise of integrating robotic and AI technology into, for example, soft exoskeleton suits for patient rehabilitation or injury prevention for workers in manufacturing or logistics.