Innovative technological advances sometimes require intensive research and partnership efforts with years of dedicated government funding. Such a program in the smart textiles area is the SMART ePANTS program, which stands for the Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems. Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) launched the program last year. Its goals include creating active smart textiles with sensor systems that can record and store audio, video and location data that aren’t bulky devices but act, feel, move and function like regular clothing. Effectively, they need to be invisible to the wearer—and they need to be machine washable. The aim is for the tech to support personnel such as FBI agents, arms-control inspectors and first responders in dangerous environments. Future commercial applications could include detecting and monitoring medical conditions.