Abstract of Prof. Huichan Zhao's talk

Talk title: Modular and Compact Multi-Axis Tactile Sensors and their Network for Enhancing Human-Machine-Environment Interactions 

Abstract: 

Endowing machines with human-like tactile perception is a promising way for enhancing their interactive capabilities with humans and the environment, and the multi-axis tactile perception and large-scale distributed perception are two important features of reproducing human skin’s sensing capabilities. Based on the anisotropic response of stretchable optical waveguides to force, a thin, compact, and soft multi-axis tactile sensor is proposed. Through a forward-followed-by-backward process modeling of the three-dimensional responses and forces, their mapping is established, and the multi-axis force prediction is achieved with relative mean errors within 20% in all directions. With such a multi-axis force sensor module and its capability for simple serial connection to its neighbors, its capability is demonstrated both as a standalone human-machine interface and as a formed network composed of multiple sensors. The compact structure, neat wiring, and flexible deployment of the proposed sensors may provide new forms of hardware for future human, machine, and environment interactions.