Making the Glove

The next step was to make the glove.  We decided to go with a thin fully cloth glove so that the flex sensors could be sewn on, and so that they would be tight against the hand.  We need as much sensitivity as possible.

Initially, we were planning on making thread holders for the flex sensors, similar to how staples are used to hold wires to walls.  However, this was really tedious and didn't provide a very tight grip for the sensors.  So, we thought for a bit.  What's the best way to mount flex sensors to a glove?

Thinking...

Thinking...

WOW.  So the flex sensors were very flimsy, particularly at the contact point.  They came reinforced everywhere except the very end (yes, how incredibly stupid).  Anyway, we decided to use electrical tape and wind it around the end to reinforce it.  THEN, we thought, "why not put electrical tape around the whole thing?!"  By leaving a flap around the flex sensor, we could sew the electrical tape to the glove using standard sewing methods, and it would be PERFECT.

So, voila!  Behold: THE GLOVE.  We still have some modifications to make (including cleaning up that frightening mass of wire), but this is the basic design.  The idea is to mount the Firefly on the back of the glove, and run wires around the glove as necessary.  We also have to solder resistors between the blue wires and Vdd to complete the voltage divider circuit.

p.s. Credit goes to Shilpa for teaching me how to sew.  :)