smart jacket responds to temperature creating personalised micro-climate

founded by three MIT students, boston-based start-up ministry of supply has designed the mercury jacket – a self-heating smart jacket that responds to changes in temperature. this is the first electronic garment created by the company that promises to create a personalized ‘micro-climate’ for its wearer.

all images courtesy of ministry of supply

at the core of mercury are three carbon fibre heating elements that warm the garment through a process called resistive heating. and at 100g, flexible, and 1mm thing, these go practically unnoticeable whilst each delivering 10 watts of heating power, reaching up to 135ºF/57ºC – the same temperature as a cup of coffee.

ministry of supply designed the jacket to use an internal and external thermometer, and an accelerometer that measures temperature and movement. a micro-controller then processes the temperature and motion signals, before choosing how much power to send to the pads. the jacket takes around 90 seconds to warm up. 

a corresponding app allows wearers to input their preferences so artificial intelligence can work out and predict what will suit wearers over time. wearers can also use amazon’s smart assistant alexa to allow users to preheat the jacket before putting it on.

the coat also boasts wireless charing in it’s left pocket, which also happens to be hand warming, along with its right-hand counterpart. mercury is made from waterproof fabric and has a removable hood. 

founded by three MIT students, boston-based ministry of supply launched itself via kickstarter five years ago. the company plans on shipping the jacket and by autumn this year. it is priced at $295 dollars but is also available in a gilet version.