LOOMIA Electronic Layer (LEL) Soft Circuits

LOOMIA is a soft electronics company based in Brooklyn, New York, that started in 2014 as the design and technology studio The Crated. It addresses the problem that rigid PCBs, wires on felt and printed inks crack, change resistance or feel stiff when built into fabrics, seats and soft surfaces.

The Loomia Electronic Layer (LEL) is a thin, mesh-based, drapable circuit layer that is not printed, giving low-resistance conductors that hold their resistance when flexed or stretched. It is configured as force-sensitive resistors and pressure matrices, flat HMI switches with backlit options, flexible heaters, and antennas and cabling, and can be laminated onto trims and textiles. Customers include automotive and robotics companies such as Asahi Kasei, Festo, Analog Devices, Covestro and Ford.

• Mesh-based soft circuit: thin, drapable layer that conforms to fabrics and curved surfaces.
• Force-sensitive resistors: pressure sensors and matrices for robot fingertips and seats.
• Flexible HMI switches: flat tactile switches with optional backlighting for smart surfaces.
• Textile heaters: custom heaters up to 200°F, including the Gentoo heater launched in 2025.
• Antennas and interconnects: washable cabling that terminates at a PCB with I2C and SPI data.
• Certified production: facility certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 13485.

Vietnamese automotive seat and interior suppliers could integrate LEL heaters and occupancy sensors into seat covers for EV makers. Textile and garment exporters could develop heated or sensor-equipped workwear and sportswear lines for foreign brands. Robotics and electronics manufacturers in Vietnam could add tactile skins to grippers and service robots.

LOOMIA reports up to 50% stretch in serpentine designs and a 40% conductivity improvement over printed ink on TPU with less unit-to-unit deviation. Production reaches up to 20,000 units per week at a cost as low as USD 0.05 per square inch. Silver-free conductor options and no heavy chemical etchants reduce material and environmental cost, and a free LEL sample can be requested for evaluation.

Car interiors, humanoid robots and wearables need sensors and heaters that are soft, light and integrated into textiles rather than added as rigid modules. Electric vehicles favour zonal seat heating to save battery energy, and Asian automotive and electronics supply chains, including suppliers in Vietnam, are adding smart textile components to their offerings.

Founded in 2014 as The Crated, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. LEL technology originated at Autodesk. Winner of the NYC x Design 2018 Award. In 2026 Korean company Unichem signed agreements to acquire 100% of Loomia Technologies, Inc.; the LOOMIA brand continues. Nominated as seat heating supplier for a Volkswagen Group vehicle (2025).