Hi, I am looking for the simplest approach to a binary touch sensor between 2 people both of whom can be wired up (or not) but provides a reliable binary reading when they touch (assuming dry skin conditions).
Edit for clarity:
What I want to test is if the people touched each other, so, for example, they might both wear an electrode on their ankles and then I want to be able to test if either of them makes body contact.
Like in a game of tag!
So if one were to poke the other the Arduino could register the touch, just a binary touching/not touching value.
Can this be done with the Arduino alone or will I need additional amplification circuitry?
Thanks
Krish
I read this but I felt it was more tailored to testing if a person touched a pin rather than if 2 separate people touched each other.
Perhaps I am missing a way to apply this library to my project?
Krish
There exists no simple solution, I fear. The mentioned capacitive sensing can react on any touch, not on touch of a specific person. Electric current requires two lines, to and fro, so that a single touch point is not sufficient for reliable operation.
Eventually one person can wear an oscillator, with one pole at either hand or wrist. Then another person can wear a receiver for that frequency, and with some luck the receiver will react on proximity or touch of the "oszillating" person.
Similarly with RFID tags, where the receiver also can not distinguish between proximity and direct touch.
Ahh sorry I think I might have been misunderstood.
What I want to test is if the people touched each other, so, for example, they might both wear an electrode on their ankles and then I want to be able to test if either of them makes body contact.
Like in a game of tag!
So if one were to poke the other the Arduino could register the touch, just a binary touching/not touching value.
You were understood. It is just more difficult than you imagine.
Did you read and understand that 2 distinct contacts are required for safe operation?
Indeed I am perfectly happy to have 2 contacts, one on each person and have them essentially act like a switch closing the circuit.
I'm sure I remember electronics experiments as a child where the whole class could hold hands and light a small lamp in a circuit. But maybe it was not as simple as I imagined.
Krish
Ok, I think I have answered my own question, it looks like I need a simple voltage divider with a high-value resistor (1m ohm) and then read the voltage drop when the contact is made by skin on one side.