New blind navigation sensor based on triboelectrification and electrostatic induction

Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) have recently gotten a lot of attention in the realm of human mobility. Wearable TENGs can currently be employed for human motion detection and energy harvesting, as is shown by recent studies. However, the majority of these TENGs are used in direct contact with the human body, posing a great challenge for TENGs materials in terms of comfort, breathability, wear resistance, and flexibility. This manuscript presents a novel form of non-contact motion monitoring sensor, which has been designed based on triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. As the designed sensor requires only copper and PTFE materials, it reduces the manufacturing costs. The sensor does not need to be in direct contact with the person to sense the person's approach and distance. The working principle and other factors influencing the functioning of noncontact TENGs are also investigated. This sensor can effectively detect signals within two meters, with the current signal reaching a value of 57 nA at a distance of 20 cm. More crucially, the sensor's distance resolution can be accurate up to 1 cm, which is critical for sensing the human body's approach and distance. Based on this, a simple-to-manufacture, highly sensitive, and easy-to-use intelligent navigation sensor for blind navigation is designed, which can assist blind people in avoiding obstacles effectively. This simple, easy-to-prepare, and efficient TENG and sensing system shows up-and-coming prospects in motion sensing and hazard warning applications.