MIT engineers developed a flexible sensor sheet capable of digitally reconstructing its shape as it bends and twists. The technology could eventually be incorporated into wearable systems for physical therapy, virtual reality, gaming, and teleoperated robotics.
Unlike conventional motion-capture clothing that relies on rigid sensors placed at specific points, the MIT design uses soft optical fibers arranged throughout a flexible and stretchable sheet.
As the sheet bends, the optical fibers bend with it, altering the patterns of light traveling through them.
The researchers developed an algorithm that interprets those changing light patterns in real time and reconstructs a digital representation of the sheet’s shape.
The team also found that the system can remain functional when individual fibers are cut or disconnected.
The remaining fibers can continue reconstructing the overall shape of the material.
Researchers envision the technology being incorporated into garments that could track body movements or allow users to control virtual characters and remote robots.
For physical therapy, the material could wrap around an arm or leg to measure mobility and range of motion during rehabilitation.
The research appears in Advanced Intelligent Systems.
The study was conducted by MIT graduate students Qifan Yu and Nina Cao and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Kaitlyn Becker.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our setup is targeting fully soft and stretchable sensing surfaces so it’s potentially safer for interacting with a human or a soft environment.”
“In physical therapy, you often need to gather patient data on how they are moving and stretching their arm during rehabilitation, for example. Surface shape sensing could be very useful in that way.”
Qifan Yu, Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student at MIT
