Smart Textiles for Wearable Motion Capture Systems

Abstract The implementation of truly wearable instrumented garments capable of recording biomechanical variables is crucial to several fields of application, from multi-media to physical rehabilitation, from sporting to artistic fields. Here we report on wearable devices which are able to read and record the posture and movements of a subject wearing the system. The sensory function of the garments is achieved by fabric strain sensors, based on threads coated with polypyrrole or carbonloaded rubbers. The presence of conductive elements gives these materials piezoresistive properties, enabling the detection of local strain on the fabric. Strips of strain fabrics are applied together with conductive tracks at strategic points in a shirt and a glove in order to detect the movements of the principal joints. The ‘smart shirt’-sensing architecture can be divided into two parts: a textile platform, where a wearable device acquires biomechanical signals, and a hardware/software platform, to which a wireless communication system sends the acquired data after electrical conditioning.