Characterization of a novel data glove based on textile integrated sensors.

The present work is about the realization and the characterization of a novel data glove able to detect hand kinematic configurations. The sensing glove has been realized by directly integrate sensors in the fabric used to manufacture the glove. Main specifications for the realized device are lightness, wearability and user comfort. As a fundamental requirement to address this purpose we have estimated the employment of a material which does not substantially change the mechanical properties of the fabric and maintains the wearability of the garment. To obtain this result, we have integrated sensor networks made by conductive elastomer into an elastic fabric used to manufacture the sensing glove. Electrically conductive elastomer composites show piezoresistive properties when a deformation is applied. Conductive elastomers materials can be applied to fabric or to other flexible substrate and they can be employed as strain sensors. To validate the realized device, a function that relates glove sensor values to hand motion has been realized and tested.