We started thinking about the design of the bracelet at the end of 2020, but the first prototype for proof-of-concept was made on January 8, 2021. We took the most basic materials - conductive thread and tape, metal sew-on buttons and two ties. This is how smart textiles formed the basis of the future bracelet.

And already on March 3, to help develop the design of the bracelet, we found a seamstress. For the first prototype, she suggested trying a new material for us - EVA. On May 8, we received the first samples. They looked unusual and very promising. We finalized the specification and on May 30 the seamstress sent us two more samples. The form was interesting, but did not fully meet our expectations. Also, using EVA didn't seem like a good idea anymore.

In the summer, we started thinking again. We broke off cooperation with the seamstress and tried to think over the design and functionality of the bracelet ourselves. And we started with the materials. On June 21, we ourselves sewed a sample from a 3D mesh and a sports mesh. The prototype looked interesting, but lacked design. And on June 25, we found a solution - we tried to duplicate the conductive zones from the lower part in the upper part of the bracelet. It looked unusual in terms of design and functional to use.

Already on June 29, we again began to look for a seamstress to sew an already thought out idea. This time we wrote to 18 seamstresses, of which only 2 agreed. And already on July 15 we got a professionally sewn prototype of the bracelet. Which, after several weeks of testing, showed several shortcomings that needed to be eliminated. Therefore, we spent several more weeks working on a new bracelet design. We have changed the way of attaching the bracelet to the wrist, optimized the way of sewing, as well as the way of attaching uEMG.

And on September 20 we received new samples! And now we can finally continue working on uEMG signal recognition. During this year we have been working on the device from time to time. But most of the development is possible only with a full-fledged bracelet, because the quality of the signal, as well as the zone for retrieval of this signal, depends on its design. Therefore, the bracelet became larger and larger with each iteration.

Although right now, when I'm writing this post, we already have more ideas for improving the bracelet which we'll try very soon. And meanwhile you can see some of our evolution in this short video: