E-Textile Haptic Feedback Gloves for Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications †

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of e-textile haptic feedback gloves for virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) applications. The prototype e-textile glove contains six Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) flexible circuits embroidered on the fabric and seven screen-printed electrodes connected to a miniaturised flexible-circuit-based Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS). The IMUs allow motion tracking feedback to the PC, while the electrodes and TENS provide electro-tactile feedback to the wearer in response to events in a linked virtual environment. The screen-printed electrode tracks result in haptic feedback gloves that are much thinner and more flexible than current commercial devices, providing additional dexterity and comfort to the user. In addition, all electronics are either printed or embroidered onto the fabric, allowing for greater compatibility with standard textile industry processes, making them simpler and cheaper to produce.