Intelligent wear, also known as i-wear, has been emerging as a new concept in the garment industry. The notion behind Project Gathergy is that vests can be manufactured with an autonomous active thermal control system.
 
Gathergy may use solar cells to increase the autonomy, however, the 2 batteries to store power and to stabilize energy consumption provide at least 3 operating hours – more batteries can be added for further autonomy; heating and cooling units can used in normal and extreme climate conditions to increase the soldier’s performance and concentration; a thermostat for manual and automatic regulation of the temperature inside the garment has pre-set conditions or can be controlled at the touch of a button.

Alternatively, the energy stored in the vest can also provide power to small electronic devices such as PDAs, mobile phones, mp3 players, etc. Special functions will also be developed for highly extreme situations, namely for severe hot and cold conditions. In fact, particular variables are foreseen for specific garments, namely solar cells that use ranges other than the solar spectrum in vests such as fireguard uniforms.
 
Gathergy´s features include: 2.8Kg weight, 3hrs+ autonomy, possible upgrade on autonomy with solar cells, aerogel super insulation, advanced thermal control algorithm, user friendly interface.

Gathergy is manufactured by Active Space Technologies (Portugal).