In Denmark, at the Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) conference, a new technology was presented by scientists from the University of Bristol and the University of Bath. This technology is called ‘SeamSleeve’ and it aims to create clothes that can capture and record body movements. The garments have conductive threads added into their seams to create electrical circuits that change resistance based on the person’s movements. This allows for accurate body movement information to be efficiently monitored and analyzed.
Professor Mike Fraser from the University of Bristol’s School of Computer Science explained how the design of the technology avoids the need for a separate power source by pairing the seam with a charging coil that draws energy wirelessly from a mobile phone placed in the pocket. This means that no extra batteries are required, making it more environmentally friendly than other motion-sensing devices.
The resistance changes along with the wearer’s movements as low voltage passes through the threads, allowing the cloth to sense and record movements in posture. The recorded data is transmitted to the wearer’s mobile phone for analysis. Smartphone apps using advanced AI techniques can then utilize this movement data to match body movements to specific postures or gestures, such as physiotherapeutic exercises.
This innovative technology aims to outperform existing devices like smartphones and smartwatches in sensing body motion. By integrating conductive threads into the seams of garments, it offers a new way to create digital clothing that can accurately track and record body movements without altering existing manufacturing processes.