Moisture measurements of the body can be used for healthcare purposes as well as for helping in exercising. In this paper, the suitability of passive UHF RFID technology for moisture sensing is investigated. The technology has a great potential in wearable, comfortable, and wireless moisture sensing systems, although it is not originally used for sensing purposes. In our study, the tag antenna outlines are embroidered on a fabric substrate, the tag ICs are attached by embroidery or with conductive glue, and the tag performance as a moisture sensor is evaluated by wireless measurements. All tags attained peak read ranges of about 7-8 meters, which is well enough for wireless moisture sensors. The effects of moisture on the tag response were noticeable through a frequency range of 900-980 MHz and the tag performance was excellent also when wet. Thus, the achieved results indicate high potential of passive UHF RFID textile tags in moisture sensing and embroidery as a textile tag antenna and antenna-IC interconnection fabrication method.

Sweat rate measurements can be used for healthcare purposes as well as for helping in exercising. In this paper, the suitability of passive UHF (ultra high frequency) RFID (radiofrequency identification) technology for sweat rate sensing is investigated. The technology has a great potential in wearable, comfortable, and wireless sweat sensing systems, although it is not originally used for sensing purposes. Two types of textile sensing tag prototypes are presented, their performance is evaluated by wireless measurements, and the prospects and concerns of these are discussed in this paper. The achieved results indicate high potential of textile RFID tags in perspiration sensing.

We present a passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) radiofrequency identification (RFID)-based strain sensor, which is designed for simple and efficient body movement monitoring. This RFID platform is fabricated from electro-textile materials and can thus be seamlessly integrated into our everyday clothing. The sensor platform has an integrated reference tag, in order to avoid the effects of reflections or external disturbances on the sensor tag performance. This sensor platform prototype has an on-body read range of 1 meter in a normal office environment with an off-the-shelf RFID reader. The wireless performance of the sensor tag has a significant change caused by arm elongation. Thus, the sensor functionality can be based on variation of the sensor tag's backscattered power percentage (P %). Based on the preliminary results achieved in this study, this passive and cost-effective sensor platform could be an efficient future way to turn human gestures into inputs for digital devices.

During a pandemic, it is imperative that all staff members have up-to-date information on changing work practices in the healthcare environment. This article presents a way to implement work environment orientation amongst different groups in care facilities by utilizing mobile robots, radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, and data synthesis. We offer a scenario based on a co-design approach, in which a mobile robot works as an orientation guide for new employees, RFID tags are applied on objects around the premises and people’s clothing. The mobile robot takes advantage of the information provided by its known location and each RFID tag read by the RFID reader integrated with the robot. We introduce the scenario here, along with the details of its practical test implementation. Further, the challenges met in the test implementation are discussed as well as the future potential of its application. In conclusion, our study indicates that repetitive training and orientation-related duties can be successfully transferred to a mobile robot. Through RFID, the mobile robot can deliver the relevant information to the right people and thus contribute to patient and personnel safety and the resource efficiency of the orientation process.

A strain sensor tag with screen printed antenna for seamless integration with clothing is examined to provide a wireless method for monitoring of human body movements. The strain response of the tag is investigated in air and on human body. While the results indicate strong antenna-body interaction, the strain response of the tag is found to be a monotonic function of the strain.