Listen to this articleBelow is our recent interview with KC Bean, CEO at Mobile Warming:
Q: What’s the story behind Mobile Warming – you evolved out of Fieldsheer, correct?
A: The Mobile Warming® story began with Len Loukaides, the founder of Fieldsheer®, and his family’s legacy in the garment industry. His father owned and managed a textile factory that manufactured protective flak jackets and other items for the British military during WWII. Borne out of Len’s personal passion for outdoor adventure, Fieldsheer was originally established in 1978 to bring the best protective motorcycle gear onto the market. In fact, Fieldsheer was a pioneer in the motorcycle industry, being one of the first to integrate protective slide plates and ergonomic pads into motorcycle jackets and one-piece leather race suits.
This legacy led Fieldsheer to introduce practical heated gear to the market. In 2004, our in-house staff of engineers began developing our proprietary Mobile Warming® technology, originally designed to use the 12V battery of the motorcycle. The system connected the pants, gloves and jacket into an integrated system through low-profile wire jacks that, as long as the engine was running, would supply unlimited power to each garment to create an infinite heat source.
As time went on many improvements in lithium-ion battery and heating panel technology were developed. Consequently, Fieldsheer began to look at ways to disconnect from the motorcycle and make our garments truly “mobile”. We achieved our goal as we developed our own high-capacity lithium-ion battery and focused on a new line that offered comfort, quality, and fashion for the broader outdoor experience. As we continue to focus on innovation and wearable technology, the Fieldsheer brand has come to be known for world-class quality and sophisticated design at an economical price point.
Recommended: SalesOptimize Helps Businesses To Capitalise On Their Entire Market Opportunity And Generate Revenue More Effectively
Q: Tell us more about the technology behind your solution. How does it work?
A: Mobile Warming technology is comprised of a combination of unique materials, construction techniques, battery designs with advanced charging circuitry, and innovative heating panels. We designed our own high-density heating panels in-house and utilize highly efficient Far-Infrared Heat, in which heat is directly conducted to the wearer, resulting in the most advanced heated gear for many outdoor applications.
The garments are controlled through a proprietary waterproof control button integrated onto the garments in an easy-to-access location. The control button has numerous functions from turning the heat on/off and allowing the user to cycle between four different heat levels; the highest is 100% efficiency, then down to 75%, 50% and the coolest at 25%. For quick comfort, we always recommend that users turn on the heat at full power to quickly reach Instant Heat™, and then adjust down to their desired heat level to maintain comfort and preserve battery life.
Another key aspect of our garments is how we have integrated wireless Bluetooth® communication, allowing users to select heat levels and check the percentage of battery life remotely from their smartphone using our exclusive MW Connect™ mobile app, the brains behind the technology. The MW Connect App pairs and syncs with up to four Mobile Warming garments for an added level of control not found in competitive heated goods.
Fieldsheer garments with Mobile Warming technology also incorporate advanced materials and textile technologies that feature moisture wicking, anti-microbial and anti-static properties, as well as Rainguard® for waterproofing and Phoslite® reflective technologies.
Q: Can you give us some specific insights into your products? Its advantages over competitive products?
A: Fieldsheer approaches the market from two perspectives: fashion and technology. With this mindset we are focusing on fashion-forward designs, integrating modern design styles with advanced textiles, and a technology that far outpaces our competition. We believe that these approaches will set us apart from all the other heated gear currently available on the market.
For example, from a fashion standpoint, our Sierra women’s jacket has been very popular for the cut, stitch pattern, zipper types and overall stylistic appeal. The hourglass cut complements a woman’s figure, and the fabric selection features a rain and wind resistant shell. From a technology perspective, our proven 7.4v Bluetooth heating system and four selectable heat settings are unlike anything on the market. And the battery incorporates sophisticated circuitry to prevent power leakage and overcharging. Plus, it features the industry’s smallest and lightest batteries; the longest-lasting heat times; and the largest heat zones.
Q: What is the (brief) history of heated apparel?
A: The concept of heated garments has been around for more than 100 years. One of the first patents for an “electric garment” was issued in 1911 (U.S. Pat. No. 1,006,415). However the big obstacle back then was the battery technology. No one wanted to carry around a 30-pound car battery to keep warm.
We looked to overcome this limitation to heated gear by designing a plug-and-play heated system that allows the user to draw power from their motorcycle or snowmobile’s 12vbattery system. However, at the time these systems could be prohibitively expensive for many consumers.
Over time, as lithium-ion battery technology improved, and as prices came down, we were able to develop heated gear that wasn’t tied to the vehicle; thus “Mobile Warming” was born.
Q: Can you make heated apparel a year-round product? If so, how?
A: What truly makes our gear a year-round product is a basic scientific fact about Earth. The 23.5º tilt in our planet’s rotational axis provides us with an ecosystem that alternates between seasons. So while we may be sweltering in a mid-summer heatwave, people thousands of miles away could be experiencing hypothermic symptoms. For this reason, one of our focuses is to build our business to help address the cold weather needs in the Southern Hemisphere during our offseason here in North America.
We are also looking into the medical benefits that Far-Infrared Heat can offer to soothe sore muscles, increase blood flow, and help athletic recovery, not to mention the application we have in the cold storage industry and other cold climate environments.
However, it’s important to point out that our focus isn’t completely on the winter season. We also look at ways that we can develop lighter heated garments to be worn from early Fall to late Spring. Our products are designed for people who are either waking up early or staying out late. We want to offer products that look good and allow you to take the edge off the cold to stay warm and comfortable no matter when the chill comes.
Q: What do you say to people who believe that heated apparel is too complicated to use? Or who complain about the fact that everything is automated, including clothing?
A: I would say – give it a try. We have made it easy to use and are continuing to improve the technology every year. Once you have tried the heating benefits, you will wonder how you existed without this gear. To be honest, my own wife was skeptical. But, after she tried the product, she said she was addicted. She essentially couldn’t go out without her heated jacket.
As far as everything being automated, there certainly are people who feel that the world has become too technology-dependent. They may yearn for the days before we had technology like Mobile Warming, or Bluetooth, or even the internet. We may not be able to change those people’s minds. But we are confident that our technology – or even technology in general – provides enough significant benefits that people would much rather have it than not.
Recommended: The Bullet Provides A Shot Of Daily News Delivered Straight To Your Inbox
Q: Do you see Mobile Warming Technology as a global game changer and why?
A: I see the heated gear product category as being in its infancy. A great deal of consumer education is still required to appreciate the value of the product. However, consumers are quickly adopting the technology, and our reviews show they are enjoying our products.
Will we change the world? It remains to be seen. We certainly believe we will change the clothing industry on a global basis. Beyond that, it’s too early to tell. But it’s a challenge we embrace wholeheartedly.
Q: What does the future hold? Where is the company headed?
A: We see Mobile Warming Technology as a platform of technology. We currently do power management, control systems, wire management within the garment, heating panel integration, and we have two-way Bluetooth communication with a cell phone app. We see many other opportunities to integrate sensor technologies and haptics [any form of interaction involving touch] into our garments. We also see continued evolution of the textiles industry and developments that allow for interweaving or printing of micro-circuitry into or on the fabric. With two-way communications through the MW Connect App, we are positioned well to evolve our platform dramatically.
Activate Social Media:
