9. Wearables¶

Introduction¶

This week focused on exploring the integration of electronics into wearable objects, combining design, movement, and interaction through soft and embedded systems. Coming from a background in mechatronics and digital fabrication, I was particularly interested in experimenting with how electronics can bring textiles to life in subtle or playful ways.

Throughout the week, I created a series of experiments to understand the possibilities of movement and sound in wearables. I began with a simple flip dot swatch that uses magnetic actuation, followed by a soft textile speaker capable of playing audio through a coiled conductive pattern. Building on these tests, I developed a final project: a kinetic headpiece featuring a 3D-printed lucky cat with a waving arm, controlled by a servo motor and activated through a mercury tilt switch.

This week allowed me to explore how electronics can be integrated into textile-based systems, not only for functional wearables but also for expressive and interactive pieces.

Inspiration¶

As I started exploring the possibilities of interactive wearables, I was drawn to projects that bring emotion, movement, and character into everyday accessories. I was particularly inspired by the work of SheBuildsRobots, whose creations often feature playful robotic elements that react to movement or user interaction. Her approach to wearable tech merges engineering with expression in a way that feels personal and approachable.

This inspired me to experiment with motion in my own wearable piece. I began thinking about how I could incorporate kinetic elements into something that could be worn on the body—something small, fun, and interactive. The idea of creating a wearable version of the lucky waving cat (Maneki-neko) came from this line of thought: a recognizable object brought to life through subtle embedded electronics.

Additionally, my earlier work in soft robotics and kinetic systems helped inform my approach, especially in thinking about how motion could be embedded in soft or semi-rigid materials without compromising comfort or wearability.

Flip Dot Swatch Test¶

My first experiment this week was focused on exploring motion through magnetic actuation by creating a simple flip dot mechanism using textile and soft electronics.

Flip dots are commonly used in mechanical displays, where a small magnetized disc flips in response to a magnetic field generated by an electromagnet. The concept relies on the interaction between the coil (which generates a magnetic field when current flows through it) and a nearby magnet. By controlling the current in the coil, it is possible to either attract or repel the magnet, creating a flipping motion.

To test this, I manually coiled thin insulated copper wire and stitched it onto one side of a fabric swatch to act as the electromagnet. On the other side of the fabric, I stitched a small neodymium magnet. I then connected the copper coil to a lab power supply and tested the response of the system by manually connecting and disconnecting the power.

I initially tested with 6V and then increased to 10V, and both voltages were able to create a visible flipping motion as the magnetic field interacted with the fixed magnet. The flipping effect was clear, with the magnet being attracted or repelled depending on the presence of current in the coil.

This test was a simple but effective way to prototype soft movement using electromagnetism. In future iterations, the coil could be driven using an H-bridge or transistor circuit to automate the switching and allow for integration with microcontroller-based logic. This would make it possible to create responsive or animated textile-based flip dot displays.

Textile Speaker Swatch¶

For my second experiment, I explored the concept of sound through soft materials by fabricating a textile speaker. The idea was to create a flat spiral coil from copper tape and integrate it onto fabric, then use it to produce sound when powered. Textile speakers work on the principle of electromagnetic induction: when alternating current passes through a coil in the presence of a magnetic field, it produces vibrations in the air that are perceived as sound.

Idea¶

The goal of this swatch was to prototype a flexible speaker by embedding a spiral coil onto fabric. When paired with a magnet and an audio signal, the coil would act similarly to a traditional speaker—vibrating due to the magnetic interactions and producing audible sound. This test allowed me to explore how electronics could be softly integrated and how physical form affects function.

Design¶

I started by designing a flat spiral coil using Rhino: - I used the Spiral command to generate a clean spiral path in 3D. - Then, I used Make2D to convert the spiral into a flat, 2D outline. - I applied the Offset tool to create a second, evenly spaced line around the spiral. - I closed the ends of the offset spiral to form a complete path suitable for cutting. - The design was exported as an SVG file for fabrication.

Fabrication¶

To prepare the file for cutting: - I opened the SVG in Inkscape.
- I set the stroke to hairline width and changed the color to red (which is required by the Roland vinyl cutter software).
- I sent the file to the Roland vinyl cutter, using copper tape as the material.

Before cutting: - I tested the blade pressure and cut depth to avoid tearing the tape.
- Once the spiral was successfully cut, I used masking tape to carefully transfer the full spiral onto a fabric swatch.

To prepare it for connection:
- I cut a small slit in the center of the fabric.
- I manually cut and added two extra strips of copper tape to extend the inner and outer ends of the spiral coil toward the edge of the fabric, making it easier to connect to alligator clips and an external circuit.

Electronics and Code¶

I used the following components:
- Arduino to send the audio signal.
- An amplifier circuit to increase signal strength.
- A power supply to provide sufficient voltage.
- Neodymium magnets for magnetic interaction.

After uploading the Arduino sketch to output a tone, I connected the coil terminals using alligator clips and placed magnets close to the center of the coil.

Testing¶

I tested two configurations:
- With the magnet above the fabric coil.
- With the magnet underneath the fabric.

I found that placing the magnet underneath the coil resulted in better vibration and sound transmission. Although the output was faint, the speaker successfully produced audible sound—proving the concept and laying the foundation for more refined iterations.

This experiment showed how sound could be embedded into textiles using minimal materials, and how digital tools can be used to precisely design and fabricate functional electronics within fabric systems.

Lucky Cat Headpiece Concept¶

Idea¶

For the main project this week, I wanted to create a playful and interactive headpiece inspired by the traditional Maneki-neko (lucky cat). The idea was to bring the cat to life by making its arm wave when the user moves, using a tilt-based sensor to detect motion and trigger a servo motor. This wearable combines 3D printing, motion, and electronics in a fun and expressive way.

Design in Fusion 360¶

Maneki-neko | 招き猫 | Lucky Cat | Beckoning Cat by Michael on Sketchfab

To begin, I searched for an existing 3D model of a lucky cat and found one on Skecthfab. I downloaded it and imported it into Fusion 360 as a mesh. I then:
- Converted the mesh into a solid body to enable further editing.
- Created several construction planes and used them to cut the model into separate parts.
- Used the Combine tool to merge and recombine certain bodies.

Next, I imported a micro servo model from McMaster-Carr and scaled the lucky cat model so the servo would fit inside its shoulder. I:
- Sketched and extruded a pocket in the shoulder to house the servo.
- Used the servo’s arm (horn) to cut a matching bracket shape into the cat’s hand, ensuring it could attach securely.
- Created clearance space for the hand to rotate smoothly inside the shoulder.

To simulate the motion:
- I used the Joint tool to set up a revolute joint around the servo's rotation axis and verified that the hand had enough range of motion.

Finally, I created an extruded cut from the bottom of the cat model to make space for an Arduino, and connected it to the servo pocket to allow easy wire routing.

Preparing and Printing¶

Once the design was finalized, I exported the model as STL files. However, I noticed that printing the full cat would take a long time, so I:
- Sliced the main body into two parts: the head and the body.
- This allowed me to print without (or with minimal) support structures and reduce time.
- I could also print the parts simultaneously on two different printers, and the arm on a third one.

For slicing:
- I adjusted parameters to reduce material use and print time:
- Increased wall count for strength.
- Reduced infill density and used gyroid infill pattern for better strength-to-material efficiency.

-- - Before printing all of the pieces, I sliced and printed a part of the body and hand to test the clearance and the fitment of the servo. The test was a success.

--

I printed all components using white PLA on the Ultimaker S5. After printing:
- I glued the two halves of the cat’s body using super glue.
- I glued the servo bracket to the cat’s arm.
- I inserted and fixed the servo inside the shoulder pocket.

Assembly Process¶

The servo was installed into the printed pocket and connected to the arm via the bracket.
The tilt switch was placed near the cat’s hand and wired to the Arduino inside the base.
I glued a hair hoop (headband) to the bottom of the cat’s base, turning it into a wearable piece.
I connected a small power bank to the Arduino to make it portable and battery-powered.
All wires were routed cleanly and secured inside the model.

Electronics and Code¶

The electronic components included:
- Arduino (Uno)
- Mini servo motor
- Tilt ball switch

I connected the tilt switch to a digital pin on the Arduino and used it to detect whether the user’s head was tilted up or down. Based on the input, the Arduino moved the servo to raise or lower the cat’s arm.

The Arduino code was kept simple, using digitalRead() to check the state of the tilt switch. A small delay was included to prevent jitter and false triggering.

#include <Servo.h> // Include the Servo library

Servo myServo; // Create a Servo object

#include <Servo.h> // Include the Servo library

Servo myServo; // Create a Servo object

const int servoPin = 9;       // Pin connected to the servo signal wire
const int tiltSwitchPin = 2;  // Pin connected to the tilt switch
int currentAngle = 0;         // Stores the current servo position

void setup() {
  myServo.attach(servoPin);       // Attach the servo
  pinMode(tiltSwitchPin, INPUT);  // Set tilt switch pin as input
  Serial.begin(9600);             // Initialize serial monitor
  myServo.write(0);               // Start at 0 degrees
}

void loop() {
  int tiltState = digitalRead(tiltSwitchPin); // Read the tilt switch state
  Serial.print("Tilt switch state: ");
  Serial.println(tiltState);

  if (tiltState == HIGH && currentAngle != 90) {
    myServo.write(90);       // Move to 90 degrees
    currentAngle = 90;
    delay(300);              // Small delay to avoid jitter
  } 
  else if (tiltState == LOW && currentAngle != 0) {
    myServo.write(0);        // Return to 0 degrees
    currentAngle = 0;
    delay(300);              // Small delay to avoid jitter
  }

  delay(50); // Short delay for stable readings
}

Arduino Code Explanation¶

The code uses a tilt switch to control a servo motor, making the cat's arm move based on the orientation of the wearer's head.

Libraries and Initialization:
The Servo library is included to control the servo motor.
A Servo object is created and attached to pin 9.
The tilt switch is connected to pin 2 and configured as an input.
Setup Function:
myServo.attach(servoPin) initializes the servo.
pinMode(tiltSwitchPin, INPUT) sets the tilt switch as an input.
The servo is initially set to 0 degrees.
Loop Function:
The Arduino continuously reads the state of the tilt switch using digitalRead().
If the switch is tilted (HIGH), the servo moves to 90 degrees to raise the cat’s arm.
If the switch is not tilted (LOW), the servo returns to 0 degrees, lowering the arm.
A short delay is added after each movement to prevent jitter or rapid switching.

This code allows the cat's arm to respond dynamically to the user's head movements, giving the effect of the cat waving whenever the wearer tilts their head.

Final Outcome¶

The final result was an interactive, kinetic headpiece where the lucky cat waves its arm in response to the user’s movement. When the wearer nods their head or changes its orientation, the tilt switch triggers the servo and brings the cat to life. The effect is fun, whimsical, and demonstrates how 3D printing and electronics can be merged to create expressive wearable designs.

The piece could be further developed by using a smaller microcontroller or rechargeable battery for a more compact and comfortable wearable experience.

Conclusion¶

This week gave me the opportunity to explore the intersection between textiles, electronics, and interactive design in a hands-on way. Through each experiment, I was able to test different methods of embedding movement and sound into fabric-based systems, gradually moving toward a fully functional wearable prototype.

Working with kinetic motion in wearables was particularly rewarding. From the flip dot swatch to the moving lucky cat arm, I gained a better understanding of how small motors and magnetic fields can be used to create playful and expressive motion.

The week also highlighted the challenges of soft electronics, especially in terms of fabrication and assembly. Working with copper tape, fabric, and sensors required patience and precision to ensure everything stayed connected and functional.

One of the most valuable aspects of this project was the integration of multiple systems—combining 3D modeling and fabrication, electronic prototyping, and physical interaction. It was a great opportunity to apply different skills I’ve developed throughout the course into a single cohesive outcome.

For future improvements, I would like to:
- Explore smaller microcontrollers or more compact power sources to reduce the size and increase comfort for wearable applications.
- Add more interaction modes, such as sound or light feedback, to complement the mechanical motion.
- Experiment with wireless control or sensor fusion to make the experience more immersive and dynamic.

Overall, this week reinforced how wearables can be more than just functional—they can also be expressive, fun, and engaging.

9. Wearables¶

Introduction¶

Inspiration¶

Flip Dot Swatch Test¶

Textile Speaker Swatch¶

Idea¶

Design¶

Fabrication¶

Electronics and Code¶

Testing¶

Lucky Cat Headpiece Concept¶

Idea¶

Design in Fusion 360¶

Preparing and Printing¶

Assembly Process¶

Electronics and Code¶

Arduino Code Explanation¶

Final Outcome¶

Conclusion¶

Files:¶

-¶

-¶

-¶