ETH researchers develop smart sweatpants that warn of imminent exhaustion

ETH researchers have developed a special yarn that can measure body movements. If the smart textile sensor is integrated into sportswear or workwear, it can predict how tired the wearer will be during physical exertion.

The new sensor can measure body movements very precisely without the need for electronic components such as batteries or chips, ETH Zurich announced on Friday.

The newly developed yarn stretches when you pull it and generates an electrical signal. The signals are sent to a smartphone via a special antenna made of conductive yarn.

The signal pattern with constantly changing frequency must then be evaluated by an app – but it must first be developed. Tests have shown that the movement patterns and thus the signals of the yarn change with increasing fatigue.

The aim is for the app to warn the wearer of neat running trousers or neat work clothes in good time about imminent fatigue. This is to prevent fatigue-related injuries.

The researchers now want to turn the prototype into a market-ready product. In this way, the intelligent garments are made accessible to a wider audience. In addition to applications in sports and at work, applications in rehabilitation medicine are also conceivable. (aeg/sda)