There is an upsurge in demand for smart wearable ranging from specialized items like bras, gloves, shapewear, compression stockings, diapers and eyeglasses. The wearble technology manufacturers are in need of sensors that can measure pressure as low as 0.1 psi. They are investing in the developemnt of such textile sensors. Capacitive textile sensors is the most apt solution for wearable textile manufacturers.
Consumers nowadays, are not just demanding clothing but more specialized items like bras, gloves, shapewear, compression stockings, diapers and eyeglasses that have led wearable manufacturers to devise unique and innovative methods to render comfort, that plays a role in determining whether someone will like a product or not.
While LG has also recently claimed to have developed a textile pressure censors that is in production yet its innumerable benefits would pave way for a different range of clothing that may be called ‘Fashtech’ products- Fashion embedded technology.
Why pressure measuring textile sensors are needed?
The primary consideration for wearable manufacturers is measuring the pressure for wearables in prolonged contact with the body, or that come into contact with particularly sensitive areas. Hence they (Wearable Manufacturers) are investing in sophisticated technology that measures pressures for smart wearables. Another logical use for tactile pressure sensing technology would be for shapewear, garments that are designed to hold various parts of the body in such a way as to modify and ostensibly improve the wearer's appearance.
However, gauging the amount of pressure can be difficult since most people have a hard time determining static pressures in general and the human body is more sensitive to pressure that frequently changes rather than loads. ‘Capacitive tactile sensors’ may be a solution for the wearable industry as it can capture and quantify the slightest amount of pressure that is felt by users. Capacitive tactile sensors are used over resistive sensors primarily because unlike resistive technology, the two electrodes never touch. Consequently, capacitive sensors are less susceptible to wear or failure even if subjected to multiple, repeat loads.
This may be useful for clothing manufacturers since one of the main challenges when developing ‘Wearables’ is that the human body is not, flat and has curves hence any sensor should conform for the surfaces while providing accurate measurements. Other additional benefits of tactile sensors is that, it can be integrated with a variety of soft, flexible and conformable materials. For research purposes, the sensors can be embedded in mannequins or sewn into straps in clothing.
Another important application of tactile sensors can be in the development of garments that have medical applications, like compression stockings meant to treat and prevent deep-vein thrombosis.Next area where the tactile sensors as a wearable technology can be used are in the sportswear category to access real time data in terms of performance of the athletes. TactArray sensors feature up to 8,192 integrated sensing elements and that can measure pressures from 0.01 psi to 700 psi.
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