A Wearable System for Detecting Hand Motion Using Strain Sensors

A wearable system for detecting hand motion is presented using strain sensors with carbon–based nanomaterials. The system can detect hand gestures with data obtained from ten sensors, and sign language gestures can be converted to English alphabet letters through a mapping process. Most of the conventional motion detecting methods are image–based methods, however these approaches have limitations with large and burdensome peripheral devices, and due the influence of surrounding environment such as light and shadow. Therefore, there is a need for a detecting system which can operate without influence of environmental factors and which could be worn on the body, in order to take advantages such as accurate motion detection and portability. Our carbon–elastomer composites sensor applied to this system shows excellent stretchability characteristics providing no discomfort while moving when attached to the human body, and has excellent durability without deterioration in performance even after long cycles. Finally, a wearable system was demonstrated, so that the 26 English alphabet sign gestures could be translated into letters real time.