More and more things are
becoming Internet-connected every day, and now some money is getting behind the makers of smart fabric sensors.
BeBop Sensors, a company that makes the sensors, just closed a $10 million
investment from Bullpen Capital in San Francisco.
Although not a household brand name, BeBop designs and manufactures smart fabric sensors for Fortune 500 companies in automotive, health, IoT
and virtual and augmented reality markets.
“Flexible fabric sensors have emerged as one of the most sought-after sensors in markets that affect consumers every day, including automotive,
augmented reality, virtual reality, wearables, health, sports and remote sensing,” stated Keith McMillen, CEO and founder of BeBop Sensors in a blog post.
The company uses
smart fabrics to create sensor solutions for manufacturers. As somewhat of a new aspect of the Internet of Things, where things or people interact, BeBop sensors comprehend force, location, size,
weight, bend, twist and presence across any size, resolution and geometry.
BeBop sensors are in the Forte Data Glove, the Sensor Helmet, Multi Sensor Insole, which measures a person’s
balance, and Fabric Track Pad, an in-car input device that can recognize taps, gestures and swipes for unique applications. The sensors measure physicality, sensing pressure, XYZ location, bend,
motion, rotation, angle and torsion, for precise analysis of data.
Sensors are beginning to get up close and personal.