Data Glove with Integrated Polyethylene‐Carbon Composite‐Based Strain Sensor for Virtual Reality Applications

A data glove enables fine motion control in virtual reality (VR). This work presents a cost‐effective data glove made of a commercial nylon‐based glove with integrated polyethylene‐carbon composites (Velostat). The resistance of the Velostat varies when a finger is bent. This piezoresistive behavior was explored by designing the Velostat as the strain sensor. The strain sensor was characterized for its flexure sensing by connecting it to a data acquisition circuit. The circuit is designed to process the output of the joint angles and feed it to the computer. A linear resistance output was measured with a sensitivity/gauge factor of 1.45 % per degree with a response time of 0.0158 seconds when the strain sensor bends from 0° to 30°. To control the 3D virtual hand's movement, the data glove was coupled with two inertial measurement unit sensors at the forearm and upper arm to identify its coordinates. The fabricated data glove successfully performs a proof‐of‐concept by picking‐and‐placing multiple objects in a VR environment.