The Mountain View-based Google has unveiled a second-generation connected jacket in partnership with Levi's, building on their innovative collaboration.
Connected technologies are steadily transforming fashion. Three years after their initial project, Google and Levi's have launched the Jacquard Trucker Jacket, developed by Google's Jacquard team specializing in interactive fabrics.
In 2017, they introduced the first connected jacket, targeted at athletes, featuring a touch-sensitive left cuff to control smartphone apps, as noted by Le Journal du Geek. However, its electronic components limited it to about 10 washes, hindering longevity.
This $350 model struggled commercially, leading Jacquard to refine the design. The new version, revealed on Monday, September 30, brings substantial upgrades—though visually, it resembles a classic denim trucker jacket, as shown in the video above.
Key improvements include a smaller, more discreet electronic module, per Presse Citron. The left sleeve's touch surface now supports four gesture types, each customizable to smartphone commands for seamless control.
Priced around €200—more accessible than its predecessor—the Trucker Jacket launches in the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, UK, France, Italy, and Germany.
While awaiting its release, consider a connected smartwatch tailored for sports and wellness tracking.
