Chinese AI textile enables voice-controlled smart home functionality

Researchers at Soochow University in China have developed A-Textile, an innovative smart fabric that transforms everyday clothing into voice-controlled AI assistants. Utilizing the triboelectric effect, the fabric generates tiny electrostatic charges from slight movements caused by speech, which are then converted into electrical signals for voice recognition. The fabric is composed of a silicone rubber layer embedded with SnS₂ nanoflowers to enhance charge capture, combined with a carbonized cotton layer for charge storage. This design enables the fabric to detect subtle vibrations, such as whispers, producing up to 21 volts with high sensitivity. A-Textile is flexible, washable, and can be integrated into various garments, enabling hands-free interaction with AI systems. The researchers paired the fabric with a deep learning model that interprets voice commands with 97.5% accuracy, even in noisy environments. The system demonstrated practical applications by controlling smart home appliances like air conditioners and lamps, interacting with ChatGPT for complex queries, and integrating with services