A team of researchers from the University of Bristol and the University of Bath have collaborated to develop a new technology called ‘SeamSleeve’, which aims to create clothes that can capture and record body movements. By adding conductive threads into the seams of garments, electrical circuits are created that change resistance based on the person’s movements. This technology provides accurate body movement information by efficiently monitoring and analyzing physical activities.
The wearable technology presented at the Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, lays the foundation for e-textile designers and clothing manufacturers to develop cutting-edge garments that can enhance exercise, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. Professor Mike Fraser from the University of Bristol’s School of Computer Science explained that 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.
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 utilize this movement data to match body movements to specific postures or gestures, such as physiotherapeutic exercises.
This innovative technology aims to outperform devices like smartphones and smartwatches in sensing body motion. The integration of conductive threads into the seams of garments offers a new way to create digital clothing that can accurately track and record body movements. The collaborative effort between the University of Bristol and the University of Bath showcases the potential for advanced motion-sensing garments without altering existing manufacturing processes.