Recent research progress in biomimetic tactile sensors

Abstract

The tactile sensors are flexible electronic devices and systems with the characteristics of bionic-skin sensing ability, and thus have important application potential in the fields of robotic tactile systems and human health detection. The former one endows robots with the ability to sense the environment through the non-visual senses such as touch, while the latter attaches a flexible device to the skin to detect physiological health parameters such as pulse, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and myoelectricity. From the research aspects of flexible and self-healing electronic materials to the structural design of devices and integration of multi-functional systems, the biomimetic tactile sensor devices and systems have been constantly and iteratively developing. Due to the sensors with advanced soft and stretchable features, the human feels comfortable when contact or wear these interactive devices. Accordingly, due to the mentioned sensors development, many of the traditional monitoring or wearing devices have become more portable and convenient for daily use, showing great potential and applications in the fields of medical testing equipment, wearable electronic equipment, and healthcare big data. This paper reviews recent research progress in the field of biomimetic tactile sensors and provide prospects for future development and application direction in this field.