Ultra-flexible perceptual photonic-skin by using optical fiber as artificial mechanoreceptor

In this research, a photonic-skin is designed to mimic the tactile perception of real skin. The specimen is made of silicon elastomer and inserted with optical fiber. The optical fiber is an instinctive and alternative sensor of tactile perception with high sensitivity and reliability, and combination with silicone substrate enables high stretchability to have a high wearability. According to the experimental results of tactile tracking, the specimen demonstrates the ability to detect the physical motions like tapping, rubbing and twisting with distinguishable signals. Moreover, the experimental results of on-body mounted perceptual tests (throat, forearm, and finger) validate the wearability with a high sensitivity of vocal vibration, muscle stretching, and bending movements. The photonic-skin has the characteristic of good spatial resolution, high sensitivity, high stretchability which will have wide applications in humanoid, robotic sensing, biomonitoring, perceptual prosthetics, etc.