Microporous Induced Fully Printed Pressure Sensor for Wearable Soft Robotics Machine Interfaces

Abstract

Soft robotics machine interfaces are desirable for facilitating handling of objects in soft robotics applications. High-speed responses of the interfaces are crucial for achieving statement conversions in novel robotics systems. Herein, a novel scheme for synthesizing a functional ink for producing fully printed soft pressure sensors that are highly responsive for detection of an applied vertical force is presented. The sensor consists of carbon nanotubes and polymeric soft materials, and achieves good response characteristics because of the microporous sensing layer. The fabricated sensor shows high performance for detecting forces with a high-speed response. Novel wearable robotics machine interfaces for the printed soft sensor and a soft robotic hand are fabricated to facilitate object manipulation. The artificial sensor for a switching system demonstrates successful gripping and release of an object when controlled by a switch. Further, these findings show that the switching performance of the sensor is suitable for the machine interface for switching applications. This implies that the fabrication of a sensing system for remotely controlled soft robots is possible. Thus, high-sensitivity printed devices for tactile machine interfaces in the form of a wearable e-skin are experimentally demonstrated.