Flexible Hybrid Sensor Systems with Feedback Functions

Skin-like wearable sensors are regarded as key technologies toward home-based healthcare, human-machine interfaces, robotics, prostheses, and enhanced augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR). Inspired by human somatosensory functions, artificial sensory feedback systems play vital roles in shaping interactions with complex environments and timely decision-making. This study presents an overview of recent advances in feedback-driven, closed-loop skin-inspired flexible sensor systems that make use of emerging functional nanomaterials and elaborate structures. Drawing on feedback solutions, four categories of sensor systems are highlighted, which include prosthesis- and AR/VR-based human-machine interfaces, smartphone-based approaches for point-of-care detection, and smart wearable displays for direct signal visualizations. Furthermore, the progress of machine learning on the reliable recognition of massive quantities of signals generated by flexible sensor networks is briefly discussed. The state-of-the-art hybrid sensor techniques, along with other emerging strategies, will enable total sensory feedback loop systems to be developed for next-generation electronic skins.

Automated summary

This study provides an overview of recent advances in feedback-driven, closed-loop skin-inspired flexible sensor systems that utilize emerging functional nanomaterials and complex structures. It highlights four categories of sensor systems, including prosthesis- and AR/VR-based human-machine interfaces, smartphone-based point-of-care detection approaches, and smart wearable displays for direct signal visualizations. Additionally, the progress of machine learning for reliable recognition of signals generated by flexible sensor networks is briefly discussed, aiming to enable the development of total sensory feedback loop systems for next-generation electronic skins.