European design team Utope has recently kicked off a fundraising project on Indiegogo for its smart LED cycling jacket Sporty Supaheroe Jacket 01 and other LED embedded accessories. The bright LED lights adds night time visibility for cyclists.

A model dressed in Utope Sporty Supaheroe Jacket 01. (Photo Courtesy of Utope)

The jacket, which clinched the Red Dot Design Award "Best of the Best"in 2013 has a smart LED lighting system that was co-developed with Fraunhofer IZM in Berlin, Germany. According to Utope, the system consists of LEDs, sensors, a switch to turn it on/off and a rechargeable battery. It is flexible like textiles and encapsulated, so it is safe, moisture resistant and adapted for cleaning. The jacket also reacts to body movements and directional changes of its wearer via sensors. 

Sporty Supaheroe Jacket 01 material.  (Photo Courtesy of Indiegogo)

The system is ultrathin and is fastened on the lining of the jacket facing towards the outer layer. The light function of the jacket becomes visible in translucid display areas in front and in the back, allowing the light to be seen on the surface of the jacket. The lining can be buttoned out to access and handle the system easily. 

A model shows teh back of Utope Sporty Supaheroe Jacket 01.(Photo Courtesy of Utope)

The main outer material is earth-khaki coloured ETA-proof organic cotton by Stotz. Utope points out the material is inspired by military demands, therefore it has an incredible strength and durability. As it is also highly water and wind repellent. The light-grey colored translucid display material is from Schoeller and it is stretchable, breathable and water repellent, what makes it a cover layer for the LED system.

Water resistant material used in the jacket. (Photo Courtesy of Indiegogo)

Sporty Supaheroe Jacket 01 is produced in Europe by Gysemans Clothing Group. 

UTOPE - Crowdfunding 2014 from Utope/ Wolfgang Langeder on Vimeo.