WovenProbe — Hybrid Body Lab

Wovenprobe: Probing Possibilities for Weaving Fully-Integrated On-Skin Systems Deployable in the Field 2021

By adopting lace weaving techniques, we weave fully-integrated on-skin interfaces which are more resilitant to be worn in an everyday setting.

On-skin interfaces demonstrate great potential given their direct skin contact; however, conducting field studies of these devices outside of laboratories and in real settings remains a challenge. We conduct a research-through-design investigation using an extended woven practice for fabricating fully-integrated and untethered multi-sensor on-skin systems that are resilient, versatile, and capable of field deployment. We designed, implemented, and deployed a woven on-skin index-finger and thumb-based inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensing system for multi-hour use as a technology probe to understand the social, technical, and design facets towards moving integrated on-skin systems into a wearer’s daily life. Further, we integrate a woven NFC coil into the IMU on skin system, which is wirelessly powered by a smartwatch substitute, signifying the potential of our woven approach for developing wirelessly powered on-skin systems for longer-term continuous wear. Our investigation and the lessons learned shed light on the opportunities for designing on-skin systems for everyday wear.

Publication:
WovenProbe: Probing Possibilities for Weaving Fully-Integrated On-Skin Systems Deployable in the Field Kunpeng Huang, Ruojia Sun*, Ximeng Zhang*, Md. Tahmidul Islam Molla*, Margaret Dunne, Francois Guimbretiere, Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao (*equal contribution) ACM Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) 2021 BEST PAPER AWARD PDF I DOI

Project Credits: Hybrid Body Lab at Cornell University, directed by Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao
Research Team: Kunpeng Huang (Lead Researcher), Ruojia Sun*, Ximeng Zhang*, Md. Tahmidul Islam Molla*, Margaret Dunne, Francois Guimbretiere, Prof. Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao (*equal contribution)

Press Inquiries: Press Image Kit: Available Upon Request (License: CC by-NC-SA 4.0) Press Contact: Prof. Dr. Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao, cindykao@cornell.edu

WovenProbe, the index-finger and thumb-based inertial measurement unit (IMU) tracking system explored in this project. It includes a woven bandage-like interface that supports complex on-skin circuitry: four IMUs on the tips and ends of the thumb and index finger, a central microprocessor, an energy harvester, and an integrated NFC coil. (Image Credit: Hybrid Body Lab) (License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

A fully-integrated woven on-skin interface fabricated with the WovenProbe approach. Here we show the aesthetic customization of WovenProbe through a Herringbone twill pattern with its distinctive zig-zag pattern.

(Image Credit: Hybrid Body Lab) (License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

A fully-integrated on-skin interface fabricated with the WovenProbe approach. Here we show the aesthetic customization of WovenProbe through a Spanish lace design that reveals the skin underneath. (Image Credit: Hybrid Body Lab) (License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Weaving technology adopted in WovenProbe: (b1) Lace serpentine, (b2) Manhattan routing, (b3.1) Tapestry coil, & (b3.2) Double weave coil. (c) Close ups of b1, b2, b3.1.

Implementation of the system. (Image Credit: Hybrid Body Lab) (License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

WovenProbe Demo Video

WovenProbe paper presentation at ACM DIS 2021 by Kunpeng Huang