Wearable technology

SIGNAL (programming language)

Quantum mechanics

Robot

Magnetic field

Engineering

Magnetization

Materials science

Embedded system

Inkwell

Telecommunications

Economics

Computer science

Acoustics

Physics

Angular displacement

Position (finance)

Wearable computer

Ranging

Electronic engineering

Electronics

Artificial intelligence

Position sensor

Tactile sensor

Programming language

Finance

Magnet

Speech recognition

Electrical engineering

Sensors and Actuators A Physical

The development of flexible tactile sensors is an emerging field due to their wide applications ranging from human-robot interactions to wearable electronics. This paper proposes a flexible tactile sensor based on the magnetic field for detecting both forces and positions, which exhibited a linear relationship. The direct ink writing technology was used to fabricate magnetic elastomers for the quick test of variable patterns. The introduced folding magnetization allows for a higher magnetic flux density in the designated position which made it possible to get rid of magnets. A pattern was designed and printed. The linear relationship was found to be linear (R2 > 0.98) between the magnetic field signal and the magnitude and position of the load force. Moreover, the untethered sensor was proven to work well in the sealed box, which is expected to serve as the electrical skin of robots or the tactile sensor in extreme environments.

Magnetic flexible tactile sensor via direct ink writing