Man-machine interfaces that can be worn on people, and in certain smart clothes, are attracting attention because of the potential to improve the user experience and possibly the development of the Internet. Researchers at Kansai University describe the latest discoveries of smart fabrics for robot control in Ferroelectronics.

Piezoelectric ceramics have long been studied for the development of human-machine interfaces, but the most common material has the disadvantage of being electrically charged, which means that they generate electricity in response to both deformation and heat. , making it difficult to ensure that they react to the body's movements, not to the body's heat. A promising alternative is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a piezoelectric polymer that is transparent and non-flammable.

In a recent study published in the journal Ferrorlectronics, Yoshiro Tajitsu at Kansai University, Osaka, introduced a smart fabric based on PLLA fibers. Fibers are woven with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and conductive carbon fibers (used as electrodes) in many different weaves: weave, cross and satin. Each of the three fabrics tested for motion of the robot arm. Fabrics of different weaves are susceptible to different types of movement: the veil of motion detection of the arm, the diagonal fabric of the rotational direction, and the satin fabric that is sensitive to the expansion and contraction. So by combining the three fabrics one can determine the type and direction of movement.

The next step, a cloth combining three different types of weaving is made by traditional techniques used to produce Japanese kimono. When sewn into human clothing and wired to a human robot, the fabric can be used to replicate human movements. Simple movements such as arm flexion and wrist restoration are repeated successfully, although more complex movements remain out of reach of the current system. In the article, Mr. Tajisu emphasized that "our future goal is to be able to handle the complex movements we hope to achieve by increasing the accuracy of the fabric detection." Such advances will be important for the development of human-machine interfaces that can be worn on the body better.

Source vinatex.com