Wearable Robotic Glove Haptic Feedback Sign Language
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication solutions for deafblind individuals are inadequate due to high costs, limited accessibility, and lack of portable, low-cost devices that provide personalized feedback for learning sign language and facilitating communication.
Innovation Solution
A wearable robotic glove equipped with servo motors, cables, and a controller that allows for precise control of finger positions and provides haptic feedback, enabling users to learn and perform sign language with auditory and visual guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing glove devices are used to determine hand position, then sign language translation for non-deafblind users is achieved, but feedback for deafblind users is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The glove incorporates vibration motors that provide haptic feedback to the wearer's hand, allowing deafblind users to feel the correct hand position and gestures. This tactile feedback enables users to learn and refine their sign language without visual or auditory guidance, directly addressing the adaptability gap for deafblind individuals while maintaining ease of operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex microfluidic systems are used to control glove position, then precise hand positioning is achieved, but device cost becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex microfluidic systems with a simpler cable-based actuation mechanism. Flexible cables connected to motorized actuators pull on the glove material to achieve precise hand positioning, eliminating the need for expensive microfluidic pumps and channels while maintaining manufacturing precision through mechanical advantage and cable tension control.
Solution Approach 2:
The glove uses inexpensive materials such as flexible fabric or silicone for the glove body and simple cable actuators instead of expensive microfluidic systems. This approach achieves sufficient precision for sign language at a fraction of the cost, making the device accessible to deafblind individuals in low-income countries.
3Ease of operation
If expensive electrodes are used to simulate touching sensation, then tactile feedback is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive electrodes to simulate skin sensations, the patent employs simple vibration motors that generate tactile feedback through mechanical vibration. These inexpensive motors provide sufficient haptic feedback for sign language learning without requiring costly electrode arrays or complex neural interfaces, significantly reducing device cost while maintaining ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Braille readers and writers are used for communication, then communication capability is provided, but portability and accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The glove serves multiple functions: it provides tactile feedback for sign language learning, enables communication with deafblind individuals, and can be used in various settings without requiring external devices like laptops or Braille readers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate communication aids, improving portability while maintaining comprehensive communication capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The glove provides an accessible, low-cost solution for deafblind individuals to learn and practice sign language effectively, offering precise control and feedback, thereby improving communication capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vibration motor disposed on the sleeve, wherein the at least one vibration motor is configured to vibrate responsive to the wrist supination and pronation
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device is disclosed. The wearable device comprises a glove, fingers, and one or more finger band cable guides connected to each of the fingers. A servo mount is coupled to the glove and a plurality of extension and flexion servo motors are coupled to the servo mount. A plurality of flexion cables and a plurality of extension cables are coupled to the plurality of extension and flexion servo motors and the fingers. An abduction and adduction servo motor is coupled to an abduction and adduction servo motor mount coupled to the glove. A controller actuates the plurality of extension and flexion servo motors and the abduction and adduction servo motor to move the finger portions. The wearable device further comprises a gyroscope to measure wrist movement and at least one vibration motor to provide haptic feedback to a wearer.