IIIT-H creates low-cost flexible sensor to aid in physiotherapy

A variety of exercises are typically prescribed as part of physiotherapy to restore physical strength in victims of stroke or patients of arthritis experiencing muscle weakness like repetitive movement of hands in picking up an object from one point to another. Researchers at the International Institute of Information Technology-Hyderabad (IIIT-H) PATRIoT lab have come out with a new-age, low-cost pressure sensor to analyse and recognise such activity unobtrusively.

Flexible electronics or developing thin, bendable and stretchable circuits for ‘smart’ applications is one of the fortes of this group. “In this case, apart from the typical smart properties of sensors, we also wanted to cover a large area and try to map the pressure distribution in the entire area,” says Aftab Hussain, principal investigator. Their experiment canvas for the required physical rehabilitation exercises was a sensory mat containing designated areas for placing weights. With conductive foam as the main ingredient, this low-cost paper-based 4X4 pressure sensor matrix was fabricated with a layer of paper each on top and the bottom, sandwiching copper electrodes.