The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently listed a number of newly approved patents for Apple, one of which appears to be a ridged fabric, according to a Fast Company article. A fabric patent for the giant tech company may seem anomalous, but Apple has had other smart-fabric patents approved over the past few years.
Last summer’s patent involved integrating sensors and garments to help visually impaired people. More recent patents involve, for example, weaving circuitry into a glove designed to use sensors that monitor health indicators such as blood pressure.
The article notes that these are “just patents.” Apple has yet to create the products.