Underlying data for the article " Novel Haptic Electronic Yarn for Wearable Textiles:Vibrotactile Feedback via Knitted Channels for Skin-Based Communication"

The work presents an electronic yarn capable of providing vibrotactile feedback which holds significant potential for enhancing human-computer interactions. Wearable textiles, due to their direct contact with the skin, offer a promising platform for haptic integration, however, incorporating haptic functionality into textiles presents considerable technical challenges. This study introduces a novel electronic yarn embedded with a miniature vibrotactile motor to deliver controlled vibrotactile feedback. The research focuses on embedding these motors at the yarn level while employing encapsulation techniques to enhance durability and protect against water and chemical exposure. Designed for seamless integration into knitted textiles, the haptic yarn ensures both comfort and suitability for extended daily wear. Haptic performance was evaluated using a custom-designed test rig, revealing an operating vibration of 276.6±60.5 Hz at 0.3±0.2 ms-2, increasing to 307.0±35.5 Hz at 0.6±0.1 ms-2 under a load of up to 18N. To explore practical applications, prototype haptic gloves incorporating these yarns were developed, demonstrating its ability to convey distinct tactile sensations. This haptic electronic yarn enables precise integration and control of vibrotactile feedback within textile structures, paving the way for future advancements in assistive communication for individuals with deafblindness, and will open up a wealth of potential future applications.