Asha Peta Thompson

Peta-Thompson studied fashion at Birmingham City University. She enjoyed crochet and knitting. She joined Central Saint Martins for a master's degree in textile design.[1] She worked with a special needs school to develop textiles that could be used to support children with autism.[2][3] She developed a wheelchair cover with textile pressure sensors that could prevent pressure sores.[4]

Peta-Thompson develops electronic textiles.[5][6][7] In 2002 she joined Brunel University London as a research fellow working on products for people with disabilities. Peta-Thomspon was based in the Brunel Design for Life Centre, where she began to work with industrial design lecturer Stanley Swallow.[8] Together the pair developed a Talking Waistcoat, which included fabric sensors, for people suffering from cerebral palsy.[2] Peta-Thompson was not convinced by the bulky electronic devices that people with cerebral palsy had previously used, and began to explore conductive thread.[9] The waistcoat included sensors that allowed people with cerebral palsy to access computers. Whilst demonstrating their product at a European trade show, Peta-Thompson and Swallow met Australian Wool Innovation, who were interested in working with organisations that could use Australian wool.[8][10] They began to manufacture conductive fabrics using a weaving mill that belonged to John Lewis & Partners.[8] In 2002 they formed a spin-out company Intelligent Textiles Limited.[2][11] Intelligent Textiles Limited has partnered with Lincoln Fabrics, a Canadian factory, as well as a weavers in Lancashire to manufacture their materials.[8] At first they operated out of a small studio in London, working with a clothing company to integrate an MP3 player into a jacket.[2]

Peta-Thompson learnt that soldiers have to carry over 60 AA batteries and often suffer from tangled charging cables.[12] Instead, Intelligent Textiles Limited looked to develop electronic textiles that could be retro-fitted into military uniform.[13] They own over 17 patents and several trademarks.[14][15] Limited Peta-Thompson pitched their idea, Broadsword, to the Canadian Armed Forces.[16] The United States Army and United States Marine Corps also became interested.[16] They were supported by BAE Systems and the Centre for Defence Enterprise.[8][9] Their e-uniforms significantly reduce the weight carried by infantry, and went into trials in 2015.[17][18]

She has appeared on The Bottom Line and BBC Woman's Hour.[19][20]