Bimodal Tactile Sensor without Signal Fusion for User-Interactive Applications

Abstract

Tactile sensors with multimode sensing ability are cornerstones of artificial skin for applications in humanoid robotics and smart prosthetics. However, the intuitive and interference-free reading of multiple tactile signals without involving complex algorithms and calculations remains a challenge. Herein a pressure–temperature bimodal tactile sensor without any interference is demonstrated by combining the fundamentally different sensing mechanisms of optics and electronics, enabling the simultaneous and independent sensing of pressure and temperature with the elimination of signal separation algorithms and calculations. The bimodal sensor comprises a mechanoluminescent hybrid of ZnS–CaZnOS and a poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly­(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thermoresistant material, endowing the unambiguous transduction of pressure and temperature into optical and electrical signals, respectively. This device exhibits the highest temperature sensitivity of −0.6% °C–1 in the range of 21–60 °C and visual sensing of the applied forces at a low limitation of 2 N. The interference-free and light-emitting characteristics of this device permit user-interactive applications in robotics for encrypted communication as well as temperature and pressure monitoring, along with wireless signal transmission. This work provides an unexplored solution to signal interference of multimodal tactile sensors, which can be extended to other multifunctional sensing devices.

Wearable Hybrid Device Capable of Interactive Perception with Pressure Sensing and Visualization

“…[5][6][7][8] Recently, with rapid advances in wearable electronics, the Internet of Things, and human-machine interaction, the critical performance of wearable devices has been remarkably improved in terms of the sensing range, sensitivity, and multiparametric and interference-free detection. [9][10][11][12] Nevertheless, most reported works have only focused on optimizing electronic readouts of wearable devices, which require bulky equipment or wired connections to convert them into humanidentifiable forms of data and waveforms. The inability to respond instantly to direct stimuli restricts their application in specific scenarios, such as miniaturized, portable, and real-time detection, and results in difficulties processing and transmitting in harsh external environments.…”

Bioinspired Chromotropic Ionic Skin with In‐Plane Strain/Temperature/Pressure Multimodal Sensing and Ultrahigh Stimuli Discriminability

“…Natural skin sensory systems equipped with thermoreceptors and mechanoreceptors can detect and differentiate complex stimuli from the surrounding environment, such as strain, vibration, pressure, and temperature. [ 1–4 ] Artificial electronic skins (e‐skins) that can mimic human skin sensory functions have attracted tremendous attention for their revolutionary applications in the emerging fields of biomimetic prosthetics, [ 5,6 ] humanoid robotics, [ 7,8 ] human–machine interface, and artificial intelligence. [ 9 — 12 ] E‐skins are designed to translate external mechanical and thermal stimuli into detectable resistance, capacitance, or voltage signals.…”

Multifunctional Flexible Ionic Skin with Dual-Modal Output Based on Fibrous Structure

“…10 If multiple stimuli are identified using different perceptual mechanisms based on the same sensitive material, it is possible to differentiate stimuli directly by different signals. 11,12 Therefore, the design of multifunctional flexible sensors with multimodal outputs is an effective way to achieve accurate differentiation and sense different stimuli.…”

“…Even though someone has analyzed multiple stimuli by distinguishing the change in amplitude and response speed brought about by different stimuli, the complex decoupling principle is subsequently needed to assist . If multiple stimuli are identified using different perceptual mechanisms based on the same sensitive material, it is possible to differentiate stimuli directly by different signals. , Therefore, the design of multifunctional flexible sensors with multimodal outputs is an effective way to achieve accurate differentiation and sense different stimuli.…”