Functional textiles — multi-technology active products
Compact mechanics, electronics and textile within a single worn product — soft exoskeletons, connected PPE, active technical garments
The 3rd branch of the AQ-Tech triptych: multi-technology textiles
Functional textiles form our 3rd family of applications. While smart textiles embed sensors and actuators in fabric, and inflatable systems harness pneumatics, functionalized textiles combine compact mechanics, electronics and textile within a single worn product — for complex active functions.
Typical use cases: soft exoskeletons for load-carrying support, connected PPE with ergonomic feedback and alerts, active technical garments combining compression, measurement and stimulation. This category meets the needs of industry (augmented ergonomics, MSD prevention), defense (active soft gear, physical support) and active medical (rehabilitation, dynamic compression).
AQ-Tech is one of the few French companies mastering all three disciplines required simultaneously — that is what makes custom active textiles possible, from concept to industrialized product.
Our functional textile expertise
From passive physical support to integrated active functions: we combine technical textiles, compact mechanics and embedded electronics to create high-value worn products.
Soft exoskeletons
Lightweight physical support, integrated into the garment, without restrictive rigidity.
- + Assistance with load carrying (back, shoulders, lumbar)
- + Support for walking, posture or rehabilitation
- + Tensioned textile structures + soft actuators
- + Ergonomic validation under real-world conditions
Connected PPE & smart workwear
Protective equipment augmented with embedded electronics.
- + Posture, fatigue, muscular load sensors (EMG, IMU)
- + Fall detection, emergency alert, geolocation
- + Haptic feedback for operator guidance or warning
- + CE PPE standard compatibility (EU Regulation 2016/425)
Active compression & thermoregulation
Textiles that act dynamically on the body or its environment.
- + Pilot-controlled pneumatic compression (medical, sport, ergonomics)
- + Multi-zone heated textiles (extremities, back, lumbar)
- + Active thermal regulation driven by internal sensors
- + Programmable cycles via embedded firmware
Compact mechanics integrated into the textile
Slim, discreet mechanical parts for active functions.
- + Compact actuators for localized mechanical effort
- + Soft joints and textile-based springs
- + Mechanical–textile interfaces resistant to tear-out
- + Designed for discretion and wearer comfort
Custom active technical garments
Combining several active functions within a single worn garment.
- + Multi-technology architecture (sensing + action + structure)
- + Co-design with your product, design and R&D teams
- + Industrialization considered from the design stage
- + From prototype to European industrial transfer
Three disciplines combined
Compact mechanics, embedded electronics and technical textile under one roof.
Ergonomic validation
Real-world testing: comfort, freedom of movement, functional performance.
Multi-material assembly
Stitching, HF welding, overmolding, lamination, integration of mechanical parts.
Industrialization
Reproducible processes, manufacturing files and Made in France pre-series.
Our approach to functional textiles
Designing a functional textile requires thinking through all three disciplines at once: a poorly integrated mechanical actuator hampers wear, electronics that are too rigid break during washing, an under-reinforced textile wears out under load. AQ-Tech masters all three axes in-house — that is the prerequisite to build a worn product that is reliable, comfortable and industrializable.
Our integrated lab (smart textile, compact mechanics, embedded electronics, HF welding workshop) enables fast iteration on complex architectures — from concept to a worn prototype in a few weeks, then on to the industrial pre-series.
A few functional textile projects
Wandercraft
Mechanical and electronic integration cell for the Wandercraft medical exoskeleton: multidisciplinary engineering design house by AQ-Tech.
Léonard (formerly Optimergo)
Léonard EMG sensor module for industrial ergonomics and sports performance: embedded electronics and textile-electrode integration engineered by AQ-Tech.
The AQ-Tech triptych
Three complementary application families
Functional textiles belong to the AQ-Tech triptych, alongside smart textiles (electronic sensing and action within the fabric) and inflatable systems (pneumatic action). Depending on your needs, these families combine within a single product.
Smart Textile
Sensors and actuators embedded in the textile — embedded electronics, connected garments, validated washability.
Inflatable Systems
Worn airbags, technical pneumatic structures, HF welding — 12 years of wearable airbag expertise.
Functional textiles for your sectors and services
Our functional textiles meet the needs of industry (connected PPE, augmented ergonomics, MSD prevention), defense (active soft gear, operational support, law enforcement equipment) and active medical (rehabilitation, dynamic compression, soft exoskeleton medical devices).
Full development of a functional textile mobilizes our engineering services (compact mechanics, electronics, textile), our prototyping workshop and our industrialization through to Made in France pre-series manufacturing.
Explore our works in soft exoskeletons (Wandercraft), connected PPE (Optimergo) and other multi-technology active products.
Frequently asked questions — Functional textiles
Which company manufactures functional textiles combining mechanics, electronics and textile in a worn product?
AQ-Tech, based in Sillingy (Haute-Savoie, France), designs and manufactures custom functional textiles: soft exoskeletons, connected PPE, active garments integrating compression, heating, stimulation and sensing. We master in-house the three disciplines required — compact mechanics, embedded electronics and technical textile — and we produce pre-series in our French workshops. This in-house multidisciplinarity is rare in France and conditions the success of a worn product that is reliable, washable and industrializable.
What is a functional textile?
A functional textile is an active textile product integrating several technologies: compact mechanics (actuators, soft joints), embedded electronics (sensors, firmware, connectivity) and a technical textile structure. It differs from smart textiles (focused on electronic sensing and action) and from inflatable systems (pneumatic action): it combines all three for complex active functions — physical support, connected PPE, dynamic compression.
What are your typical use cases?
Three main families: (1) soft exoskeletons for industry (load carrying), medical (rehabilitation, mobility) or defense (operational support); (2) connected PPE and smart workwear (MSD prevention, alerts, geolocation); (3) active garments combining compression, heating, EMS or stimulation for medical, sports or premium wellness uses.
How does it differ from smart textiles?
Smart textiles mainly embed electronics (sensors, light/haptic/heating actuators) into a washable textile. Functional textiles add a compact mechanical dimension: force actuators, soft joints, textile springs, load-bearing structures. Concretely: a connected t-shirt is a smart textile; a soft exoskeleton or PPE with mechanical feedback is a functional textile. The two approaches can be combined in a single product.
Can you support CE PPE or MDR certification?
Yes. For PPE (EU Regulation 2016/425), we structure the required technical elements from the design stage: mechanical tests, risk analyses, documentation. For medical devices (MDR EU 2017/745, typically class I and IIa for soft exoskeletons and active orthoses), we support preparation of the technical file, biocompatibility tests (ISO 10993) and clinical validation. The certification itself is carried by your product strategy together with notified bodies.
What are the lead times to develop a functional textile?
For a first worn prototype with compact mechanics + electronics + textile: 3 to 6 months depending on complexity. For a validated version ready for pre-series (with ergonomic testing and washability validation): 6 to 12 months. These lead times strongly depend on the brief maturity, the targeted level of integration (how many simultaneous active functions) and certification constraints. We plan these stages with you from kickoff.
Can you manufacture pre-series in France?
Yes. Our in-house manufacturing unit in Sillingy produces pre-series of 10 to 500 units with quality control and ERP traceability. Beyond that, we organize industrial transfer to our qualified European partners, ensuring technical continuity and the manufacturing file. This French industrial sovereignty is particularly valued on defense, medical and sensitive industrial projects.
Your functional textile project
Soft exoskeleton, connected PPE, active technical garment or multi-technology textile product: AQ-Tech supports you from concept to industrialization. Systematic NDA, response within 48h.
