NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ralph Lauren Corporation’s (NYSE:RL) innovative PoloTech™ smartshirt, a seamless blend of sleek, modern style with real-time biometric technology, makes its retail debut on August 27. Ralph Lauren continues to lead the fashion industry in wearable technology with the launch of this groundbreaking fitness shirt and the simultaneous introduction of a game-changing, adaptive workout app that uses detailed data to tailor individualized training for maximum results.
The introduction of the PoloTech shirt coincides with the inaugural collection of an athletic-focused, broader Polo Sport brand. As its halo product, PoloTech intersects the forefronts of performance technology and lifestyle fashion.
“The Ralph Lauren PoloTech shirt will change the way you look at fashion and apparel. It will give you knowledge you can use to lead a better life,” said David Lauren, Executive Vice President of Global Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications. “This is a bridge between technology, fitness and style that approaches wellness and well-being in comprehensive and complementary ways. It will touch many parts of your life.”
The smartshirt incorporates its sensory receivers with a dynamic fitness application into a fashion-forward design emblematic of Polo Sport. Silver fibers woven directly into the fabric to give the most accurate readings track a range of stats, including heart rate and variability, breathing depth and recovery, intensity of movement, energy output and stress levels, steps taken and calories burned.
The “black box” that collects and processes the information uses five connectors and contains a 3D accelerometer that captures intensity of movement based on three g-force measurements.
PoloTech has a unique ‘second-skin’ fabric composition, and the sensors in the fabric stream information directly to an iPhone®, iWatch® or iPod Touch®. The app reacts based on that immediate data. The app is compatible with the Apple iPod Touch® 5th Generation and above, or iPhone® with iOS 8 and up.
The unique bio- and psychometrics inform a series of adaptive video workouts, during which your performance in one exercise determines the intensity of the next, resulting in more than 10,000 possible combinations—the ultimate customized workout. The app also offers live fitness monitoring, reporting and a unique “push rate,” rating exertion, power and effort.
There are three categories of workouts, customized for users in real time:
- CARDIO: works core, burns fat and amps power
- STRENGTH: puts focus on chest, back, legs, shoulders, triceps and biceps
- AGILITY: designed to maximize quickness, precision and speed
The technology was put to the test at the 2014 US Open, where Ralph Lauren is the Official Outfitter. The top-ranked college player making his debut at the premier tennis event as well as an elite squad of official ball persons were measured for relative fitness, measuring heart rate, recovery, time spent in aerobic and anaerobic zones, calories and distance.
The smartshirt was developed in partnership with proprietary technology from Canadian-based OMSignal, whose team includes experts in neuroscience, sports medicine and engineering. The PoloTech app workout routines were devised by Galvanized, the health and fitness media company founded by David Zinczenko.
"The PoloTech shirt points the way to the next generation of activewear. Going beyond the digital-only experience of today’s fitness platforms, it is the first product to bring advanced apparel technology and digital fitness technology together, into one smart, connected apparel product,” said Stéphane Marceau, CEO of OMsignal. “OMsignal’s partnership with Ralph Lauren is representative of the synergy that exists between the two brands, from their marquee leadership in fashion, to our customizable smart apparel platform.”
Ralph Lauren is known as a leader in digital innovation. In addition to the groundbreaking PoloTech shirt, the company has created directional high-tech initiatives as an early pioneer in e-commerce, creation of holographic runway shows, development of interactive and shoppable retail windows, and introduction of the RL Children’s Virtual Storybook. Recently, the company extended its authority in technology to the luxury world, with its iconic handcrafted Ricky Bag with Light.
The PoloTech smartshirt will be available at RalphLauren.com, Polo Ralph Lauren’s global flagship in New York City and at its US Open store on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where there will be daily demonstrations.
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ABOUT RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 48 years, Ralph Lauren’s reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names—which include Polo Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Black Label, Lauren Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Polo Sport, Polo Ralph Lauren Children’s, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Chaps and Club Monaco—are among the most widely recognized consumer brands worldwide. For more information, go to http://investor.ralphlauren.com.
ABOUT OMSIGNAL
OMsignal (www.OMsignal.com) is a world leader in biometric technology and smart apparel, developing products and applications that help people live fitter, healthier lives. Weaving technology into life, the OM smart clothing platform provides a seamless connection between body, textile and technology, empowering the world’s leading fashion and sport brands to incorporate the very latest biometric technology into their clothing and stay one step ahead of the game. Founded in 2011 by Stephane Marceau and Frederic Chanay, OMsignal is home to an array of multinational interdisciplinary professionals who work together to advance and evolve wearable technology.
