Clothes may soon be able to record body movements, according to research by scientists from the Universities of Bristol and Bath, presented at the Designing Interactive Systems conference in Copenhagen.

In the research, harmless low voltages were passed through conductive threads sewn into the seams of clothing to create electrical circuits. Their resistance changed with the movement of the user’s body. Mobile phone apps have been able to use artificial intelligence to use motion data to match body movement with specific postures or gestures, such as physical therapy exercises.

The research opens up new possibilities for making digital clothing that detects and records movements with far greater precision than is currently possible with mobile phones and smart watches. As the researchers note, the research lays the groundwork for e-textile designers and clothing manufacturers to create clothing that could enhance exercise, physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Photo credit: Olivia Ruston