Multifunctional and Reconfigurable Electronic Fabrics Assisted by Artificial Intelligence for Human Augmentation

Abstract

Noninvasive human augmentation, namely a desirable approach for enhancing the quality of life, can be achieved through wearable electronic devices that interact with the external environment. Wearable electronic devices endure limitations, such as unreliable signal interaction when bent or deformed, excessive wiring requirements, and lack of programmability and multifunctionality. Herein, we report an intelligent and programmable (IP) fabric sensor with bending insensitivity that overcomes these challenges associated with a rapid response time (< 400 μs) and exceptional durability (> 20,000 loading–unloading cycles). A single-layer parallel electrical bilateral structure is utilized to design the IP fabric sensor with reconfigurability and only two electrodes, which caters to the requirement of stable interactions and simple wiring. The multifunctionality of the IP fabric sensor is demonstrated by designing a closed-loop interactive entertainment system, a smart home system, and a user identification and verification system. This integrated system reveals the potential of combining Internet of Things technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Hopefully, the integration of the noninvasive IP fabric sensor with AI will facilitate the advancement of interactive systems for human augmentation.

Graphical Abstract