Toyota group company Toyoda Gosei will trial power-generating smartwear fitted with ultrathin solar cells at the World Exposition in Osaka, in Japan, as it seeks to bring the technology one step closer to commercialisation.
Toyoda Gosei, whose core business is manufacturing car parts, plans to launch the product in limited quantities this year based on public response.
The prototype vests will be worn by expo staff working at a private sector pavilion, with the generated electricity expected to power small devices such as wearable neck fans.
Toyoda Gosei has been jointly developing the smartwear with EneCoat Technologies since investing in the company in 2023. Technology from textile manufacturer Seiren enabled the wireless attachment of the solar cells to the clothing, while Toyoda Gosei developed the energy storage unit.
