Two-Terminal Deformable Induction Array Sensor Capable of Recognizing Non-Contact Dynamic Motions of Various Objects

Development of deformable soft tactile sensors that are conformable to 3D surfaces and recognize dynamic/static multiple touches from all directions are still great technological challenges. Furthermore, distinguishing material species of various objects and proactive sensing by non-contact recognition have not been achieved in the deformable tactile sensors. This study suggests an induction-based array sensor with only two signal terminals. The tactile sensor simultaneously solves the technological challenges mentioned above. The key to this success is novel interpretation on the inductance variation by material species of the objects depending on measurement frequency. This study discusses the design rule of the sensor and the operation variables for effective tactile sensing both in the contact and non-contact modes. An artificial sensor covering the finger (including the finger tip) demonstrates recognition of dynamic and static multiple stimuli on the finger.