Method of Converting Tatami into Touch Sensors by Measuring Capacitance

Abstract

In traditional Japanese-style rooms, tatamis are used as flooring material. People are in continuous contact with the floor surface. Therefore, it can measure our daily activities through the floor surface. In this study, we propose a method of converting tatamis into touch sensors by measuring capacitance to obtain information related to the floor surface. This system detects contact with people by placing conductive sheets under the surface of the tatami and measuring the capacitance that changes when our body comes into close proximity. Since the sensor is placed under the surface, it does not affect the appearance of the tatami. We investigated the accuracy of detecting the contact position using a hand and a foot. The positions touched by hand were detected with 98.8% accuracy, and the positions touched by foot were detected with 73.4% accuracy. Finally, the possibility of application was discussed based on the experimental results.