making headlines | e-Glove’s flexible sensors give prosthetic hands a sense of touch

topic: progress in electronics
October 25, 2019


image | above
Photo of the e-glove prototype.

photo: by Purdue Univ.



— note —

Dear readers,

Important breakthroughs happen ever-faster each year. We collect good writing from magazines + newspapers on lead headlines — so you can connect with essential stories on progress.


topic progress in electronics
story e-Glove with flexible sensors gives prosthetic hands a sense of touch.

— facts —-

researchers crafted an electronic glove that’s worn over a prosthetic hand, providing sense perception:

  • advances in flexible + stretchable electronics are making breakthroughs in prosthetics
  • the prototype for this e-glove was made by Purdue University engineers
  • the e-glove — gives amputees with prosthetic limbs a sense of touch
  • the e-glove — mimics the sensory capabilities of a human limb in its own unique way
  • the e-glove — fits over existing prosthetic hands in a range of shapes + sizes, giving them new capability
  • the e-glove — fits seamlessly on top of any hand shape
  • the e-glove — is fitted with a suite of flexible electronic sensors
  • the e-glove — is finished in soft rubber to mimic the look + feel of a human hand
  • the e-glove — has life-like: softness, appearance, warmth
  • the e-glove’s sensors detect: pressure, temperature, hydration, bio-signals — of whatever it touches
  • that data is collected + relayed to a connected wrist-watch
  • the wrist-watch — displays the readings in real-time
  • the wrist-watch — also passes the data wirelessly to a separate device for processing
  • in the next stage of development: the e-glove will provide feedback to the wearer
  • examples of feedback are: audio cues + tactile vibration

— featurette —

group: Purdue Univ.
featurette title: Electronic glove offers human-like features for prosthetic hand users.
deck: An e-glove gives sense of touch to prosthetic hands.

watch | featurette



image | above
Photo of the e-glove prototype on a prosthetic hand.

photo: by Purdue Univ.


1. |

group: Purdue Univ.
story title: Electronic glove offers human-like features for prosthetic hand users
deck: A sensor-instrumented glove for prosthetic hand controls has ability to sense pressure, temperature, hydration
deck: Using electronic chips, sending sensory data through wrist-watch
read | story


2. |

platform: Medium
group: Purdue Univ.
blog: the Engineering Review
story title: e-Glove is a sensation for prosthetic hands
read | story


3. |

publication: New Atlas
story title: e-Glove slips over prosthetic hands to alert the senses
read | story



about | Purdue University • 150 Years of Giant Leaps

The Purdue University anniversary campaign — 150 Years of Giant Leaps — is a year-long celebration of our remarkable people, unique history — and visionary drive to meet the world’s future challenges. This campaign is a commitment to growth, innovation, and discovery.

This research in advancing human prosthetics, aligns with Purdue’s Giant Leaps celebration of the university’s global progress in health — part of Purdue’s 150th anniversary. The year-long celebration’s Ideas Festival features 4 themes, showcasing Purdue’s capabilities as an intellectual center — solving real-world issues.

— 4 themes —

  • giant leaps | space — Earth • exploration • economics
  • giant leaps | AI • algorithms • automation — balancing humanity + tech
  • giant leaps | sustainable economy + planet — innovate today for tomorrow
  • giant leaps | health + longevity — quality of life

— featurette —

group: Purdue Univ.
featurette title: 150 Years of Giant Leaps

watch | featurette



on the web | pages

Purdue Univ. | home
Purdue Univ. | YouTube channel

Purdue Univ. | Giant Leaps: home
Purdue Univ. | Giant Leaps: Ideas Festival


— notes —

e-glove = electronic glove
AI = artificial intelligence