2.0 Smart Textiles: from ideas to impact - part one

In this episode, we explore how smart textiles are transforming industries ranging from healthcare and safety to sustainability and wearable technology. We meet founders, researchers, and innovators who are asking different questions, challenging assumptions, and turning ideas into products that solve real-world problems. 

Discover: 

• How smart textiles are improving safety in hospitals and on the road 

• Why innovation often starts by questioning problems others accept as normal 

• The journey from research and prototypes to commercial products 

• How collaboration between scientists, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs drives innovation 

• The role sustainability plays in the next generation of smart textile technologies. 

In this episode, we meet: 

• Petra Apell and Fredrik Gellerstedt from Texray — developing next-generation radiation protection solutions for healthcare professionals 

• Moses Shahrivar from Mo'Cycle — creator of the world's first lower-body airbag jeans for motorcyclists

• Jenny Borg from LunaMicro — developing textile technology that actively moves moisture to improve comfort and performance 

• Anja Lund from RISE Research Institutes of Sweden —and public organizations: smart and sustainable textile materials 

• Christian Müller, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology — sharing insights on how breakthrough innovations move from the lab to society 

• Nils-Christer Persson from the University of Borås — building the cross-disciplinary environments where smart textile innovation can thrive 

• Anna Berglund from the Smart Textiles Showroom in Borås — showcasing how research and creativity open up entirely new possibilities for textiles 

Context: 

Smart textiles combine traditional fabrics with advanced materials, electronics and new technologies to create products that can sense, respond and adapt to their surroundings. From enhancing safety and comfort to enabling entirely new applications, smart textiles are becoming an important part of the future of healthcare, mobility, sports, sustainability and everyday life. 

West Sweden has emerged as one of Europe's leading hubs for textile innovation, bringing together researchers, startups, industry leaders and entrepreneurs to develop the next generation of smart textile solutions. 

This podcast is made by Move to Gothenburg, an initiative run by the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and co-founded by the European Union region Västra Götaland and several companies, universities, and public organisations in the region.