StretchEBand: Enabling Fabric-Based Interactions through Rapid Fabrication of Textile Stretch Sensors
Abstract
The increased interest in interactive soft materials, such as
smart clothing and responsive furniture, means that there is a
need for flexible and deformable electronics. In this paper, we
focus on stitch-based elastic sensors, which have the benefit of
being manufacturable with textile craft tools that have been
used in homes for centuries. We contribute to the understanding
of stitch-based stretch sensors through four experiments
and one user study that investigate conductive yarns from textile
and technical perspectives, and analyze the impact of different
stitch types and parameters. The insights informed our
design of new stretch-based interaction techniques that emphasize
eyes-free or causal interactions. We demonstrate with
StretchEBand how soft, continuous sensors can be rapidly fabricated
with different parameters and capabilities to support
interaction with a wide range of performance requirements
across wearables, mobile devices, clothing, furniture, and toys.
smart clothing and responsive furniture, means that there is a
need for flexible and deformable electronics. In this paper, we
focus on stitch-based elastic sensors, which have the benefit of
being manufacturable with textile craft tools that have been
used in homes for centuries. We contribute to the understanding
of stitch-based stretch sensors through four experiments
and one user study that investigate conductive yarns from textile
and technical perspectives, and analyze the impact of different
stitch types and parameters. The insights informed our
design of new stretch-based interaction techniques that emphasize
eyes-free or causal interactions. We demonstrate with
StretchEBand how soft, continuous sensors can be rapidly fabricated
with different parameters and capabilities to support
interaction with a wide range of performance requirements
across wearables, mobile devices, clothing, furniture, and toys.
Research Areas
