Back in 2007, Tyler Freeman, the man behind the Drum Pants, released a video on YouTube demonstrating what his pants can do. The internet went crazy of course – it was the perfect timing, because the internet was already awed by the functional guitar t-shirt.
Here’s Tyler way back in 2007.
Flash forward to 2014. Tyler appeared on the TV Show Shark Tank – you know, the one where someone pitches ideas to rich guys, and if the pitchers prove that they can make money off of them they get the funding. Now the TV appearance didn’t go as planned so the Drum Pants creators turned to Kickstarter to fund their project. It raised almost $75,000 – it’s more than double of their initial goal of $35,000.
They added a loop pedal that you can activate using your left foot, while the right one can be used as a kick drum. Toms, hi-hats, snares, and cymbals can all be performed slapping your legs – rhythmically of course.
The developers weren’t too happy with just $75,000 so they started an Indiegogo campaign to fund the mass production of the Drum Pants version 2.0!
Here’s a new clip featuring what the new pants can do. Warning – they are awesome!
So, you’re telling me that for $159 I can get my very own Drum Pants? Shut up and take my money!
Even better, if their campaign reaches the goal of $35,000, the Arduino-compatible device can be used for anything, and everything – it will be open source, and the developers are promising to release every piece of designs, schematics and firmware if and when that happens.
The Drum Pants 2.0 is faster, and more stable than its predecessor – it consists of pads and foot pedals, and you can wear them above, or under your clothes. Definitely under, just take a look at this guy.
You can wireless connect your pants to its app on your iPhone, iPad and Mac – we’ll hopefully see an Android version in the near future; and to a MIDI controller via Bluetooth.
It can also connect to virtual reality gear. Think that’s cool? The Drum Pants 2.0 can help people who suffer from certain disabilities to communicate.
