Bugging devices clothes computers set for Irish market

Computers worn on wrists and belts are set to take over the Irish market over the next few years.

According to Venture Development Corporation (VDC), the worldwide market for wearable computers is set to grow from over $70m (€71.4m)in value in 2001 to $563m (€574.2m) by 2006.

"Tagging" kids with microchips has already reportedly started to happen in the UK following the recent child killings there.

Satcom Technology - based in Cork - has been in discussions with British counterparts on the developments of the advanced equipment and tests are expected to start in the next few months.

Chipmaker Infineon, another technological group, has recently created a technology that allows circuitry to be woven into fabrics, which can then be washed or dry-cleaned.

The company developed a jacket with an embedded MP3 player and said that ID tags could be built into clothes within the next two years.