Tactile Sensing Skins

Tactile Sensing Skins are high-resolution electronic skins that can detect pressure, temperature, and shear stress. These skins are designed to provide feedback to AI controllers, mimicking the functionality of human mechanoreceptors.

These skins address the need for precise tactile feedback in environments where traditional sensors may not be sufficient. They can provide detailed information about the interaction between a surface and an object or human body part, enabling more accurate control and manipulation.

These skins use capacitive or piezo-resistive sensor arrays embedded in flexible polymers. When these sensors come into contact with a surface, they measure changes in capacitance (for capacitive) or resistance (for piezo-resistive), which are then translated into pressure, temperature, and shear stress data by the AI controller.

• flexible polymers
• piezo-resistive sensors
• capacitive sensors

Manufacturing involves creating flexible polymer substrates with embedded sensor arrays. These are then processed to ensure they maintain their flexibility while providing accurate readings under various conditions.

The process starts with designing the sensor array layout, followed by deposition of sensors on a flexible substrate. The skin is then integrated into devices or worn as part of an exoskeleton or prosthetic limb.

Field units draw low hundreds of watts; fabrication is energy-intensive due to vacuum baking. Power consumption during operation is relatively low but varies based on the complexity of the sensor array and the frequency of data transmission.

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mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors in the skin that detect mechanical stimuli such as touch, pressure, and vibration.

flexible polymers

Materials with flexibility similar to human skin, used for creating tactile sensing skins.

piezo-resistive sensors

Sensors whose resistance changes in response to mechanical stress, often used in tactile sensing applications.

capacitive sensors

Sensors that measure changes in capacitance when subjected to pressure or contact, commonly used for touch detection and force measurement.

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