title: Intelligent RF-Based Gesture Input Devices Implemented Using e-Textiles.
abstract: We present an radio-frequency (RF)-based approach to gesture detection and recognition, using e-textile versions of common transmission lines used in microwave circuits. This approach allows for easy fabrication of input swatches that can detect a continuum of finger positions and similarly basic gestures, using a single measurement line. We demonstrate that the swatches can perform gesture detection when under thin layers of cloth or when weatherproofed, providing a high level of versatility not present with other types of approaches. Additionally, using small convolutional neural networks, low-level gestures can be identified with a high level of accuracy using a small, inexpensive microcontroller, allowing for an intelligent fabric that reports only gestures of interest, rather than a simple sensor requiring constant surveillance from an external computing device. The resulting e-textile smart composite has applications in controlling wearable devices by providing a simple, eyes-free mechanism to input simple gestures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. dana.hughes@colorado.edu.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. halley.profita@colorado.edu.
authors.forename: Halley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Profita
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. sradzi13@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radzihovsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. nikolaus.correll@colorado.edu.
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Correll
keywords: e-textiles; robotic materials; wearable sensors