Design of Flexible Tactile Array Sensor

Abstract

Flexible electronics is an imminent revolution in industry, where devices can be developed using sustainable materials and processes. Some of the criteria for sustainability are low cost, low energy consumption, recyclability, and biodegradability. Besides, this technology is bringing into existence electronic gadgets that are light weight, flexible, and conform to the human body. In this paper, we describe a prototype tactile array sensor (TAS) that can enhance the existing prosthetic gadgets. As an example, the sensor can be used to detect an approaching object or surface for a prosthetic foot. Finite element method simulations have been done to show the feasibility of the proposed approach. Flexibility is of importance for prosthetics used by children of growing age for better adaptability, reduced frequency of changes, and creativity in product design [Torres-Jara, Dexterous and Compliant Robotic US 8,662,552 B2,2014]. Once developed, this application for sustainable prosthesis is expected to complement the pioneering work done at the MIT Tata Center toward the development of affordable mobile-enabled diabetic foot analyzer that has enabled regular monitoring of detection of loss of sensation in the feet of diabetic patients avoiding foot ulcers and leg amputation.

KEYWORDS:

• Flexible electronics
• Prosthetics
• Tactile sensors

Acknowledgments

The technical assistance of Mr Ragesh Bhatt and Mr Anil Kurdiya, laboratory staff at Electrical and Electronics Engineering, JK Lakshmipat University is highly appreciated and cherished.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the management at JK Lakshmipat University for the support for this research work.

Notes on contributors

Devika Kataria

Devika Kataria is an associate professor in Institute of Engineering and Technology JK Lakshmipat University Jaipur, India. Devika Kataria received BTech and MTech from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology in 1991 and 2016, respectively and PhD in electrical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur in 2017. She published works on organic solar cells. Her current research interests include flexible electronics, sensors, and internet of things.

Gustavo Sanchez

Gustavo Sanchez is a professor in Institute of Engineering and Technology JK Lakshmipat University Jaipur, India; obtained BS degree from the University of Metz, France (1994), PhD degree from Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela (2011), graduating with honours. He published 25 peer-reviewed articles, honoured in 2010 with the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society Best Paper Award. His current research interests include control systems, machine learning, remote sensing and IoT. Email: [email protected]

Jyoti Prakash Naidu

JyotiPrakash Naidu obtained PhD from the University of Toronto, MTech from IIT Madras, and obtained PGDB from Bangalore. He is currently Dean (R&D) at JKLU with vast experience in both industrial R&D and academia for more than 3 decades, with international expertise. He has worked in or has been affiliated with leading institutions, laboratories, and industry as well as start-ups and SMEs in the UK (University College London, University of Derby), USA (MIT-Spin-off Companies at Boston, University of Phoenix- Arizona), Canada (University of Toronto and Spin-offs, Meritus University, Carleton University), and India (Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics: CAIR-DRDO under late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems: IRIS, HMT, VTU, MSRUAS, Presidency) in different capacities ranging from R&D Engineer to HOD, Director, Dean, Advisor. Email: [email protected]

Mandayam A. Srinivasan

Mandayam A Srinivasan obtained PhD from Yale USA, MS, IISc Bangalore, and Professor of Haptics in the Virtual Environments and Computer Graphics (VEGE) group at UCL-CS, Director of UCL Touch Lab and founder of the MIT TouchLab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Research Laboratory of Electronics at MIT USA. He is also VAJRA professor at IIT Madras. His research has played a pivotal role in establishing the multidisciplinary field of haptics which underpins key challenges in human-–robot collaboration. He is a recogniszed world authority on human and machine haptics, teleoperation, and robotic manipulation. Email: [email protected]