MIT engineers develop flexible optical-fibre sheet that tracks its own shape
The sheet uses light through bending fibres and an algorithm to reconstruct its 3D shape with less than 0.4 cm error.
Engineers at MIT have developed a flexible sheet of optical fibres that can digitally reconstruct its own shape as it is flexed and folded. The work was reported by pcgamer.com.
The sheet works as a waveguide: light passing through the bending fibres is tracked and interpreted by a specially developed algorithm. According to the team, the algorithm reconstructs the sheet's movement with a margin of error of less than 0.4 centimetres.
Existing rigid-sensor designs have errors of around 1 to 2 centimetres, the researchers said. The prototype also remained functional after being pierced with a hole puncher.
The optical fibres currently measure 1 millimetre thick. Alternative fabrication methods could make them tens of micrometres thin, and the team plans to slim down the prototype.
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What is the tracking accuracy of MIT's flexible optical-fibre sheet?
The team's algorithm reconstructs the sheet's movement with a margin of error of less than 0.4 centimetres, compared with around 1 to 2 centimetres for existing rigid-sensor designs.
How thick are the optical fibres in the prototype?
The optical fibres currently measure 1 millimetre thick. Alternative fabrication methods could make them tens of micrometres thin, and the team plans to slim down the prototype.
Does the sheet still work after being damaged?
Yes. The prototype remained functional after being pierced with a hole puncher.