Advancing Robotic Gripper Control with the Integration of Flexible Printed Pressure Sensors

A pressure sensor array fabricated on a flexible substrate using the printing method can be easily mounted in various locations by combining it with a wireless communication circuit. This is particularly advantageous for applications where wiring is difficult, such as the tip of a robot gripper. Additionally, printed devices are highly efficient in material utilization, facilitating large areas and low-cost production. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the harmonious interaction between robots and humans, and the intelligentization of robots is a worthwhile research area. Herein, a method for realizing intelligent gripping force control and object recognition robots using a printed flexible pressure sensor array in combination with a wireless communication circuit is proposed. By mounting the sensor array on a robot gripper and performing arithmetic processing on software, these capabilities are achieved. A sensing system integrating a pressure sensor printed on a flexible substrate with a wireless communication circuit facilitates the straightforward implementation of advanced gripper control. From this sensing information, intelligent control of the gripping force and object recognition are realized.image (c) 2024 WILEY-VCH GmbH