Wearable Triboelectric Visual Sensors for Tactile Perception

TLDR

Tactile sensors that provide visible light feedback, such as wearable displays, electronic skin, and biomedical devices, are increasingly important, yet current methods lack sufficient light‑mapping performance and portability for intensity feedback and extended interaction. This work proposes a freely constructible, self‑powered visual tactile sensor combining a high‑output triboelectric nanogenerator with a visual light source. By structurally optimizing the triboelectric material and device, the sensor’s charge output is boosted to 746 nC, enabling the light source to emit a 9.8 cd m⁻² brightness signal. The sensor achieves power‑free visual detection of palm‑grasp state and strength, offering a promising interactive medium for AI‑driven smart protective clothing and robotics.

Abstract

Tactile sensors with visible light feedback functions, such as wearable displays and electronic skin and biomedical devices, are becoming increasingly important in various fields. However, existing methods cannot meet the application requirements for the tactile perception of intensity feedback and extended intersection due to their limited light-mapping performance and insufficient portability. Herein, a freely constructible self-powered visual tactile sensor is proposed, which consists of a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a visual light source. The transferred charge of the TENG is enhanced to 746 nC by the structural design of the triboelectric material and device, which can easily drive the light source to generate a light signal with a brightness of 9.8 cd m-2 . Notably, the application of the TENG enables to realization visual sensing of the palm-grasp state and strength feedback without an external power supply. This visual feedback and power-free tactile sensors are expected to have potential application in the field of artificial intelligence as a new interactive medium for smart protective clothing and robotics.