A flexible nanocomposite-based piezoelectric glove system for hand gesture recognition and wireless motion control of a cart

Abstract

Flexible nanocomposite-based piezoelectric glove system for recognizing hand gestures and wirelessly controlling the movement of a trolley, comprising a flexible glove adapted to be worn on a user's hand; a plurality of piezoelectric nanocomposite sensors attached to the glove at the wrist or finger joints, the sensors configured to generate voltage signals in response to mechanical deformation caused by wrist or hand movements; a microcontroller unit integrated into the glove, configured to receive and process the voltage signals from the sensors to classify specific hand gestures based on signal patterns; a wireless communication module operatively coupled to the microcontroller unit and configured to transmit gesture-based control signals to a remote receiver; a receiver module integrated into a remote movable device, the receiver configured to receive the transmitted control signals and generate corresponding motion control commands for the movable device; wherein the system (100) is configured to enable wireless real-time control of the movable device by user hand gestures without requiring external power for gesture sensing.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wearable electronics, human-machine interfaces (HMI), and motion control systems. In particular, the invention relates to a flexible, self-powered glove system based on piezoelectric sensors that can be used for real-time hand gesture recognition and wireless motion control of remotely controlled devices, such as motorized carts or robotic platforms.

[0002] The growing demand for intuitive and natural human-machine interaction (HMI) has led to the development of various gesture recognition technologies used in wearable devices, robotics, and control systems. Conventional motion and gesture recognition systems typically use rigid sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, capacitive touch sensors, or optical cameras. While functional, these technologies have significant limitations—particularly in applications requiring flexibility, portability, or integration into wearable platforms. Rigid sensor-based systems are often bulky, power-intensive, and unsuitable for dynamic, curved, or deformable surfaces such as the human body. As a result, their adaptability in real-world environments, especially in wearable formats, is limited.

[0003] Furthermore, these systems can exhibit limited sensitivity and slower response time, compromising the precision and efficiency of gesture-based control applications. With the increasing use of automation in industry, healthcare, and assistive devices, there is a need for lightweight, flexible, and self-powered systems that enable seamless gesture-based control of machines and devices. Existing solutions often rely on external power sources, wired interfaces, and limited sensor arrays, limiting both their usability and scalability. Given these limitations, the present invention presents a novel wearable system comprising a flexible, nanocomposite-based piezoelectric glove capable of detecting wrist and finger gestures through self-generated electrical signals.The system also includes a wireless communication module that enables real-time remote control of a motorized cart or similar device. Unlike conventional rigid sensor systems, the glove uses PVDF-based piezoelectric thin-film sensors for highly sensitive gesture recognition, offering greater comfort, flexibility, and autonomy.

[0004] To solve this problem, the present invention provides a flexible nanocomposite-based piezoelectric glove system for hand gesture recognition and wireless motion control of a cart.

[0005] The system uses the piezoelectric effect to generate electrical signals from hand and finger movements, eliminating dependence on external power sources and improving portability and energy efficiency.

[0006] The integration of highly sensitive PVDF-based piezoelectric nanocomposite sensors enables instant recognition and interpretation of user gestures, enabling seamless and responsive human-machine interaction.

[0007] The system supports wireless real-time transmission of recognized gesture signals to external devices, such as motorized carts or robot platforms, thus enabling contactless remote control.

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a novel, flexible, and self-powered glove system designed for real-time hand gesture recognition and wireless motion control of remotely controlled devices, such as motorized carts or robotic platforms. The system integrates piezoelectric thin-film nanocomposite sensors composed of a blend of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and piezoelectric nanoparticles, which are applied to the key articulation points of a wearable glove. When a user performs a hand or wrist movement, the embedded sensors are mechanically deformed, generating characteristic electrical signals through the piezoelectric effect. These signals are acquired and processed by a low-power microcontroller attached to the glove.A wireless communication module, such as ESP32 or ESP8266, is used to transmit the recognized gesture commands to a remote receiver module attached to a mobile device, such as a cart.

[0009] The invention supports several intuitive gestures, each associated with specific directional commands—such as forward, stop, left, right—enabling real-time, touchless control of the cart with a latency of less than 200 milliseconds. The system is self-powered, eliminating the need for external batteries for gesture input. Thanks to its high flexibility and sensitivity, the sensor is ideal for curved or dynamic surfaces, enhancing its usability in real-world wearable applications. Furthermore, the sensor's manufacturing process is scalable and cost-effective. It includes casting nanocomposite films, ultrasonic treatment, annealing, and encapsulation in silicone rubber.The system's modular design enables two-way communication, remote feedback, and seamless integration into IoT platforms, making it suitable for industrial automation, assistive technologies, and intelligent robotics. The invention is explained again below.

[0010] The present invention discloses a wearable glove-based system for real-time hand gesture recognition and wireless motion control using flexible piezoelectric sensors. The glove contains thin-film nanocomposite sensors made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blended with piezoelectric materials, enabling high sensitivity to mechanical deformations caused by wrist or hand movements. These sensors are embedded at specific joint locations, such as the wrist or fingers, and encased in flexible silicone rubber to ensure durability and comfort during extended use. When a user performs a gesture, such as bending the wrist up or down, the sensors generate electrical signals due to the piezoelectric effect. These analog signals, typically in the range of 2.1 to 2.2 volts, are controlled by a low-power microcontroller (e.g.,The gesture is detected by an integrated circuit (ESP32 or ESP8266) located near the glove's wrist. The microcontroller digitizes and processes the signals, filters out the noise, and identifies the gesture pattern by comparing it with stored templates. Upon detection of a valid gesture, the corresponding command signal is transmitted wirelessly to a remote receiving module integrated into a motorized cart. Wireless communication is achieved using protocols such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which ensure fast and reliable data transmission. The receiver decodes the signal and activates the motor to perform a specific movement, such as moving forward, stopping, or turning, depending on the user's gesture. For example, an upward wrist movement generates a signal interpreted as a "MOVE FORWARD" command, while a downward wrist gesture is interpreted as a "STOP" command.These interactions enable real-time, contactless control of the cart with minimal delay (typically less than 200 milliseconds), making the system (100) ideal for high-response environments such as warehouses, healthcare facilities, or robotics labs. The sensor fabrication process involves dissolving PVDF and piezoelectric particles in DMF, followed by ultrasonic treatment and annealing at 150 °C to promote β-phase crystallinity. The resulting nanocomposite film is cast, cured, cut into sensor strips, and encapsulated in silicone. These strips are then attached to the glove with adhesive or stitching to ensure flexibility and a tight connection with the user's skin and joints.

[0011] This glove-based system offers several advantages over traditional gesture recognition platforms. It is self-powered, relying solely on the piezoelectric output for recognition, thus eliminating the need for external batteries in the recognition layer. It is also lightweight, scalable, and ergonomic, making it ideal for assistive devices, industrial automation, and human-machine interaction scenarios. Furthermore, the system's modular design allows for future enhancements such as two-way communication, haptic feedback, and integration with IoT platforms for data collection and remote monitoring. In real-world applications, the glove enables the user to intuitively control machines or equipment without physical contact. In a warehouse, for example, an operator can navigate a cart through narrow aisles using only wrist gestures, increasing efficiency and safety.The combination of flexible sensor technology, gesture-based command recognition, and wireless control represents a significant advance in wearable human-machine interface systems.

Claims

[1] Flexible nanocomposite-based piezoelectric glove system for recognizing hand gestures and wirelessly controlling the movement of a trolley, comprising a flexible glove adapted to be worn on a user's hand; a plurality of piezoelectric nanocomposite sensors attached to the glove at the wrist or finger joints, the sensors configured to generate voltage signals in response to mechanical deformation caused by wrist or hand movements; a microcontroller unit integrated into the glove, configured to receive and process the voltage signals from the sensors to classify specific hand gestures based on signal patterns; a wireless communication module operatively coupled to the microcontroller unit and configured to transmit gesture-based control signals to a remote receiver; a receiver module integrated into a remote movable device, the receiver configured to receive the transmitted control signals and generate corresponding motion control commands for the movable device; wherein the system (100) is configured to enable wireless real-time control of the movable device by user hand gestures without requiring external power for gesture sensing. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric nanocomposite sensors are made from a mixture of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and piezoelectric nanoparticles processed by ultrasonication and annealing to enhance the formation of the β-phase. [3] The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to generate electrical signals in the range of 2.1 to 2.2 volts during wrist flexion or finger movement [4] The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller unit is selected from ESP32 or ESP8266 and is configured to digitize and classify voltage signals using predefined gesture templates. [5] The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module operates via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to transmit gesture signals to the receiver module. [6] The system of claim 1, wherein the movable device comprises a motorized carriage and the receiver module is configured to activate the motor in response to received control signals [7] The system of claim 1, wherein the latency between gesture recognition and execution of the corresponding movement command is less than 200 milliseconds. [8] The system of claim 1, wherein the glove further comprises a sensor encapsulation layer of flexible silicone rubber to protect the sensors and ensure their durability.