Body shape, position, and posture recognition suit with multi-core optical shape sensing fiber

A method for making a body suit for a body that includes an appendage having a pivotable joint, the body suit comprising a sleeve to cover the appendage, wherein a first portion of the sleeve is configured to cover the pivotable joint, the method comprising:

• routing one or more multi-core optical fiber sensors within or on the sleeve in a routing pattern that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the sleeve except within the first portion and that is at least partially transverse to the longitudinal axis within the first portion,
• providing a connection terminal that is configured to connect the one or more multi-core optical fiber sensors to an optical shape sensing system for injecting light into the one or more multi-core optical fiber sensors and determining a position of one or more of the multiple appendages based on reflected optical signal measurements detected from one or more multi-core optical fiber sensors, and
• coupling a launch unit to a first end of each of the one or more multi-core optical fiber sensors, wherein an orientation of the launch unit defines a coordinate frame for the optical shape sensing system measurements.