Simon Fraser University (SFU) has officially opened WearTech Labs at its Surrey campus, marking the completion of a new Core Facility dedicated to the research, development, and validation of wearable technologies. The facility brings together advanced prototyping, testing, and human performance research within a single integrated ecosystem, positioning it as a national hub for wearable innovation with potential applications across fitness, sport, health, and rehabilitation.

“WearTech Labs provides innovators with the tools and expertise to develop wearable technologies and get their products to market faster,” said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “PacifiCan is proud to invest in solutions to real world challenges — supporting prosperity and building Canada strong.”

While consumer wearables are commonly associated with smartwatches and fitness trackers, SFU notes the technology landscape extends well beyond these devices to include exoskeletons, prosthetics, footwear, technical apparel, and performance gear. WearTech Labs operates across three sites, offering end-to-end capabilities from design and prototyping through to validation. The facility includes advanced 3D printing, smart textile fabrication, biomechanical and physiological measurement systems, and environmental chambers capable of simulating conditions ranging from extreme cold to desert heat.

The lab has already supported commercialization efforts, including work with Hettas, a Canadian footwear company focused on women-specific performance running shoes. “Hettas couldn’t have been brought to life without SFU WearTech Labs,” said Lindsay Housman, founder and CEO of Hettas. “Our partnership with WearTech Labs has been integral to Hettas design, development and testing process from the beginning, helping us build female first performance running shoes.” Housman also highlighted the importance of addressing gaps in female sports science research, noting that transparency and evidence-based design are increasingly valued by consumers.

Scientific leadership at WearTech Labs is provided by co-directors Dr. Ed Park, Professor of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, and Dr. Max Donelan, Professor of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology. Their expertise spans wearable hardware and software development, human testing, intellectual property, and regulatory pathways—areas increasingly relevant as fitness technologies move closer to clinical-grade validation and broader industry adoption.

The $17 million facility was supported by federal, provincial, and institutional funding, including contributions from PacifiCan, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the BC Knowledge Development Fund, and SFU. “Wearables are just one of the ways SFU is proud to mobilize knowledge that improves lives and supports Canadian innovation,” said Dugan O’Neil, SFU’s vice-president, research and innovation.

For the fitness industry, WearTech Labs signals continued momentum in wearable innovation, with future implications for performance tracking, recovery, injury prevention, footwear design, and data-driven training tools that could increasingly intersect with commercial fitness, coaching, and health-focused environments.