PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES
• Smart plush toys for interaction detection
ADVANTAGES
• Capable of capturing a range of complex interactions between the plush toy and its end-user
• Built-in flexible and light weight non-rigid sensors
• Effective and low power-consumption machine learning algorithm for both local and remote processing of toy-user interactions
• High spatial resolution of the interactions
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
This invention provides smart plush toys for fine-grained sensing and interaction detection. Each plush toy incorporates an array of textile-based pressure sensors that can be located beneath an outer fabric layer of the plush toy. The sensors can maintain a natural and flexible feel of fabric such that even at the locations of the sensors the toy can maintain a plush and soft feel while still allowing for dense spatial sensing coverage of the toy for more robust detection of interaction between a user and the toy.
ABOUT THE LEAD INVENTOR
Dr. Deepak Ganesan is a Professor in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences at UMass Amherst. His recent work includes the development of novel wearable technologies such as low-power eye trackers to monitor health signals, and robust detection of important health targets such as drug use, smoking, and over-eating. Dr. Trisha Andrew is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at UMass Amherst. Her research team builds textile electronics using a vapor deposition process, which allows for monolithic integration of electronic circuits onto flexible textile substrates.
AVAILABILITY:
Available for Licensing and/or Sponsored Research
DOCKET:
UMA 22-051
PATENT STATUS:
Patent Pending
NON-CONFIDENTIAL INVENTION DISCLOSURE
LEAD INVENTORS:
Deepak Ganesan, Ph.D. and Trisha Andrew, Ph.D.
CONTACT:
This invention provides a nature-inspired, multilayer photothermal textile and personal heated wearables, such as clothing, comprising such textile for highly efficient thermoregulation and personal thermal management.
Lightweight, photothermal textile enabling adaptive living indoors and outdoors
• High-efficiency heating
This invention provides a process to transform commercial textiles and threads into lightweight fabric heaters for local climate control and personal thermal management, and electrically-heated fiber, fabric, or textile that can be incorporated into a variety of garments.
Dr. Deepak Ganesan is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Trisha Andrew is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research team builds textile electronics using a vapor deposition process, which allows for monolithic integration of electronic circuits onto flexible textile substrates.
LEAD INVENTOR:
Trisha Andrew, Ph.D.