In a groundbreaking development, the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a Vancouver startup have joined forces to create a revolutionary washable wireless smart textile technology. This innovative "smart glove" is not only set to assist stroke survivors in their recovery but also holds potential applications in the realms of virtual reality and American Sign Language translation.
This month, stroke survivors in British Columbia will embark on testing this cutting-edge smart glove designed to aid in their rehabilitation. Dr. Janice Eng, a prominent stroke rehabilitation specialist and UBC professor of medicine, will oversee these participants as they wear the smart glove during rehabilitation exercises. What sets this glove apart is its incorporation of a sophisticated network of highly sensitive sensor yarns and pressure sensors seamlessly woven into a comfortable, stretchy fabric. This allows the glove to meticulously track, capture, and wirelessly transmit even the minutest hand and finger movements.
Dr. Eng emphasizes the glove's unique capabilities, stating, "With this glove, we can monitor patients’ hand and finger movements without the need for cameras.
Behind this technological marvel is the team at Texavie, a startup founded by UBC electrical and computer engineering professor Dr. Peyman Servati and PhD student Arvin Tashakori. Dr. Servati highlights the glove's precision and efficiency, stating, "This is the most accurate glove we know of that can track hand and finger movement and grasping force without requiring motion-capture cameras." The incorporation of machine learning models allows the glove to determine finger joint angles and wrist movements with incredible accuracy, matching the performance of costly motion-capture cameras.
Notably, the smart glove stands out in the market due to its wireless and comfortable design, easily washable after removing the battery. Dr. Servati and his team have also developed cost-effective manufacturing methods, making the smart gloves and related apparel accessible locally.
Looking ahead, Dr. Servati envisions a broader application of the glove in the consumer market, foreseeing improvements and collaborations with different industrial partners. The potential extends beyond stroke rehabilitation, with applications in virtual reality, augmented reality, animation, and robotics.
He paints a vivid picture of the future possibilities, stating, "Imagine being able to accurately capture hand movements and interactions with objects and have it automatically display on a screen. There are endless applications."Unlocking Possibilities: Typing Without a Keyboard, Controlling Robots, and Instantly Translating Sign Language for Easier Communication with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing"The smart glove emerges not just as a technological marvel for stroke survivors but as a versatile tool with far-reaching implications across various domains.
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