Flexible Multifunctional Sensors for Wearable and Robotic Applications

TLDR

Robotic and wearable sectors demand high‑sensitivity, accurate, reproducible, mechanically flexible, and low‑cost sensors, and researchers seek to empower robots and electronic skin with high‑resolution, rapid‑response capabilities for healthcare, prosthetics, and human‑machine interaction, while facing challenges in integrating these materials into practical devices. This review surveys the current state‑of‑the‑art of flexible multifunctional sensors designed for wearable and robotic applications. The authors examine a spectrum of sensing mechanisms—including piezoelectric, pyroelectric, piezoresistive, hybrid multifunctional, and optical approaches such as photonic crystals, liquid crystals, and mechanochromic effects—to illustrate how these technologies can be integrated into wearable and robotic systems.

Abstract

Abstract This review provides an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art of the emerging field of flexible multifunctional sensors for wearable and robotic applications. In these application sectors, there is a demand for high sensitivity, accuracy, reproducibility, mechanical flexibility, and low cost. The ability to empower robots and future electronic skin (e‐skin) with high resolution, high sensitivity, and rapid response sensing capabilities is of interest to a broad range of applications including wearable healthcare devices, biomedical prosthesis, and human–machine interacting robots such as service robots for the elderly and electronic skin to provide a range of diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. A range of sensory mechanisms is examined including piezoelectric, pyroelectric, piezoresistive, and there is particular emphasis on hybrid sensors that provide multifunctional sensing capability. As an alternative to the physical sensors described above, optical sensors have the potential to be used as a robot or e‐skin; this includes sensory color changes using photonic crystals, liquid crystals, and mechanochromic effects. Potential future areas of research are discussed and the challenge for these exciting materials is to enhance their integration into wearables and robotic applications.