A novel type of 'smart' textile that turns garments into active motion sensors has been developed by Cambridge Consultants. Acccording to the company, XelfleX features a fibre optic thread which acts as a sensor.
"Our aim was to create wearables that people actually want to wear," said XelfleX inventor Martin Brock. "With XelfleX, the garment itself is the sensor and it allows you to create smart clothing that is low cost, durable, useful and attractive to wear."
Smart garments can be created by attaching an electronics pack to the fibre. When a pulse of light is transmitted down the fibre from the electronics pack, a well defined amount of light is scattered continuously along its length. Bending the fibre results in increased scattering and reflection, which can then be measured.
By integrating the fibre into a close fitting garment, the movement of a joint can change the amount of bending at a defined sensor point in the fibre. Up to 10 sensors are possible along each fibre.
Algorithms turn data from the sensors into guidance that users can understand and transmit the results to a smartphone. Whilst the technology is likely to be used for fitness and sports coaching, it could also be used as part of a physiotherapy programme. Other applications include motion capture for virtual reality applications.
Author
Graham Pitcher
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk