• Bioinspired Flexible Tactile S...

*Result*: Bioinspired Flexible Tactile Sensors for Smart Soft Robotics.

Title:
Bioinspired Flexible Tactile Sensors for Smart Soft Robotics.
Authors:
Wang Z; School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.; State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China., Tang Y; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China., Yao P; School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China., Chen Y; School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China., Luo J; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China., Xue W; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China., Ma Y; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China., Wang J; School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.; State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Source:
ACS applied materials & interfaces [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] 2026 Jan 28; Vol. 18 (3), pp. 4568-4589. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Dec 22.
Publication Type:
Journal Article; Review
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: American Chemical Society Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101504991 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1944-8252 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19448244 NLM ISO Abbreviation: ACS Appl Mater Interfaces Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: Washington, D.C. : American Chemical Society
MeSH Terms:
Robotics*/instrumentation , Biomimetic Materials*/chemistry , Touch* , Biomimetics*, Humans ; Wearable Electronic Devices
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: bioinspired engineering; electronic skin; flexible electronics; soft robotics; tactile sensors
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251222 Date Completed: 20260129 Latest Revision: 20260129
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1021/acsami.5c16200
PMID:
41427501
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*This review delves into the cutting-edge advancements in the bioinspired flexible tactile sensors and their transformative role in enabling smart soft robots with embodied intelligence. Drawing inspiration from the multifunctionality of human skin, tactile sensors are desired to include similar mechanoreceptor, proprioception, and environmental responsiveness. This review begins by outlining fundamental design principles that mimic the hierarchical structure and distributed sensing networks of human skin. The biomimetic design and sensing principles of different flexible tactile sensors are then explained and compared, including pressure, temperature, and strain sensors. The state-of-the-art manufacturing methods, including direct ink writing, fused deposition modeling, digital light processing and material jet printing, are also introduced. By summarizing typical applications of these tactile sensors in smart soft robots, delicate object manipulation, human-robot collaboration, medical prosthetics, and adaptive locomotion are primarily discussed. Finally, it is promising to integrate innovations in fatigue-resistant elastomers, nanometer-scale 3-dimensional manufacturing, and artificial intelligence as potential elements to create next-generation of tactile sensors in the near future. By bridging biomimetic design, soft materials and robotics, this review aims to equip researchers and engineers with the knowledge to develop the tactile systems that push the boundaries of autonomy, safety, and interaction in soft robotics.*