Imagine answering a phone call or surfing the internet by simply waving your hand over your shirt. Thanks to a groundbreaking development in smart textiles, this futuristic, hands-free technology is now closer to reality.
An international team of scientists has created a new type of fabric that enables hands-free interactions and functions seamlessly even in humid and underwater environments.
This innovation, detailed in a recent empirical study published in*Communications Engineering*, could represent a significant leap forward for interactive textiles, paving the way for advancements in virtual reality (VR), safety gear, and everyday wearable electronics.
“Our design could revolutionize electronic textiles for both specialized and everyday clothing,” lead researcher Dr. Pasindu Lugoda of Nottingham Trent University said in apress release. “Tactile sensors on textiles vary in usefulness as accidental activation occurs when they rub or brush against surfaces. Touchless interaction reduces wear and tear.”
“Importantly, our technology is designed for everyday use. It is machine washable and durable and does not impact the drape or overall aesthetic appeal of the textile.”
Electronic textiles have long been envisioned as the next frontier in wearable technology, integrating sensors and electronic components into fabrics to create smart clothing capable of tracking health metrics, facilitating human-machine interactions, and even serving as user interfaces.
In 2023, the U.S. Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) even launched a program dubbed “SMART ePANTS,” aimed at developing spy clothing “with integrated audio, video, and geolocation sensor systems.”
However, the development of “active smart textiles” has encountered challenges, especially in durability, performance in wet conditions, and the risk of accidental activation from unintended contact.
This latest research, conducted by an international team of scientists from Nottingham Trent University, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, and Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, introduces a novel integration of “overbraided magnetoresistive sensors”—flexible, fiber-like sensors embedded seamlessly within textiles.
Researchers say this new technology enables hands-free interaction, unlike traditional e-textiles that require direct physical contact for input.
The key innovation is the use of flexible giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors, which detect magnetic fields with astonishing precision—down to 380 nanotesla.
These sensors, woven into conventional fabric using a specialized overbraiding technique, enable touchless interactions by responding to changes in a nearby magnetic field.
Users can trigger functions by moving a magnetized object near the fabric, such as a ring or wristband. The magnetoresistive sensors respond to the magnetic flux density, allowing intuitive gesture-based, hands-free control.
In contrast to capacitive sensors, which can be inadvertently activated by moisture or proximity to other objects, researchers reported that their GMR sensors exhibit superior selectivity and reliability.
One of the most significant advancements of this research is the textile’s durability. Past iterations of smart fabrics struggled with mechanical wear and tear, especially in real-world applications where washing, bending, and stretching are common.
However, the overbraided magnetoresistive sensors in this study have proven to withstand machine washing without compromising their performance. Moreover, the fabrics maintain full functionality in humid conditions and even underwater—making them suitable fora range of environments where traditional sensors fail.
This makes the technology particularly promising for applications such as fitness wear, underwater sports gear, and even professional attire for high-risk occupations where physical contact may be limited.
The research team developed two practical applications to demonstrate their innovation capabilities. The first is a smart armband for virtual reality (VR) navigation.
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The overbraided magnetoresistive sensors were integrated into a knitted sleeve, allowing users to navigate a VR environment using simple hand movements. A small magnet embedded in a glove permitted the user to interact with the virtual space hands-free by moving their hand near different sensor zones on the sleeve.
The second application was a self-monitoring safety helmet strap. The researchers integrated the technology into a helmet strap that can automatically detect whether the helmet is securelyfastened. This feature could significantly affect workplace safety, where head protection is mandatory.
The breakthrough could have broad implications across multiple industries, from gaming and sports to healthcare and industrial safety. The ability to create textiles that facilitate gesture-based, touchless interactions can improve accessibility and convenience in previously unexplored ways.
Additionally, the energy-efficient nature of magnetoresistive sensors means that low-energy sources could power such garments, making them sustainable for long-term use without the need for frequent charging or battery replacements.
Researchers’ next steps will be refining the technology for large-scale manufacturing and exploring additional applications in areas such as healthcare monitoring and assistive technologies.
Ultimately, with continued development, the potential for smart textiles to revolutionize human-computer interactionis immense.
“By integrating the technology into everyday clothing,” study co-author and professor at HZDR Dr. Denys Makarov explained, “people would be able to interact with computers, smartphones, watches, and other smart devices, transforming their clothes into a wearable human-computer interface.”
Tim McMillan is a retired law enforcement executive, investigative reporter and co-founder of The Debrief. His writing typically focuses on defense, national security, the Intelligence Community and topics related to psychology. You can follow Tim on Twitter: @LtTimMcMillan.Tim can be reached by email: tim@thedebrief.org or through encrypted email:LtTimMcMillan@protonmail.com