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'Smart coats' seek to warm up the frozen masses

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"Avalanche" / Courtesy of Iriver

We’ve all heard of smart phones and smart watches, but what about a smart coat?

Korean tech firm Iriver, known for its MP3 devices, recently launched a self-heating “smart wear” brand called Avalanche in conjunction with fashion brand Parsons.

The coat heats up itself up to 52 degrees Celsius within a minute when a user clicks a pocket controller connected a portable heating pad contained in the jacket.

The makers said the coat uses carbon fiber that exudes infrared light, instead of wires, to heat up. The company said the light is harmless.

The coat is priced at 490,000 won to 600,000 won and is available at Lotte Department Stores around Seoul and Busan.