Knitted Finger Sensor from Jesse Seay on Vimeo.
I machine-knit these finger sleeves from a conductive yarn that changes resistance as the knit is stretched.
With this project, I wanted to design a glove that could be machine-knit for workshops cheaply and quickly, making a wearable bend sensor available to people with no textile skills.
With a range of sleeve sizes, users can select the sleeve with the best fit and resistance range for each digit. We attach flexible silicone wires by means of a snap press, and the wearer then sews the wire in place with a tapestry needle and yarn — very easy! Once the sleeve is finished, the user can use the tapestry needle to easily sew the wire leads in place along a fingerless glove.
Get your own “digit” sensor at the PS1 workshop on March 25. Details and RSVP on Meetup. (Workshop fee: $10.)
Jenna Boyles, Kyle Werle, and Christine Shallenberg beta-tested the sensors at Pumping Station: One. They selected sleeves for fit, then stitched on the wires themselves. Kyle and Christine were able to use the sensors to control an analog synth and a processing sketch.
More details here.
