Researchers working on the EU-funded ‘ConText’ project have developed a smart fabric that can monitor muscular overload and help prevent RSI (repetitive strain injury). The project, which receives €2.3 million of EU funding, aimed to establish a system whereby various sensors are integrated into textiles to be used in continuous monitoring of individuals. ConText project partners have explained that the contactless sensors would be used to measure electromyography and electrocardiography signals. The sensors would be incorporated into textiles so as to generate a prototype of a wearable vest. Bringing together textile and signal processing of the myographic signals will play a key role in making personalised health applications a reality.

Over its 30 month duration, the project focused on resolving three issues: to use an innovative sensor requiring sophisticated electronics to be located in the clothing, to measure muscle contraction, and to investigate how muscle contraction could be used as a predictor of stress. While the ConText team succeeded in moving forward with the design of an RSI vest, the partners are now working on enhancing its reliability.

You can read more stories like this one in the January edition of European RTD Insight.