A pressure sensing device that may include a first and second sensing elements that comprise one or more piezoresistive materials; wherein the first sensing element has a first gradient; wherein the second sensing element has a second gradient; wherein the second gradient differs from the first gradient; wherein the first and second gradients facilitate a determination of a load of and a location of an event that involves applying pressure on the first and second sensing element.

Embodiments generally relate to an addressing circuit for a conductor array comprising intersecting row and column conductors. The addressing circuit comprises a switching circuit configured to selectively address an intersection between a selected row conductor and a selected column conductor for connection to a measuring circuit; and at least one voltage buffer selectively connectable to un-selected column conductors on opposite sides of and adjacent to the selected column conductor. The at least one voltage buffer is configured to equalise voltages between the un-selected column conductors and the selected column conductor.

A flexible circuit package. The circuit package includes a termination point on a flexible base substrate. The termination point is connected with an interface by conductive material on the base substrate. The conductive material extends across the surface area of the base substrate in multiple individual connections, which are in communication with each other and separated by voids in the conductive material for mitigating communication failure between the termination point and the interface during or following flexion, stretching, compression or other deformation of the base substrate and the circuit package. The termination point may include an input module such as a sensor, switch or other input. The termination point may include an output module such as a light, vibrator or other output. The interface may include an output interface for receiving data or an input interface for sending a command or other signal.

Sensor systems are described that are designed to be integrated with gloves for the human hand. An array of sensors detects forces associated with action of a hand in the glove, and associated circuitry generates corresponding control information that may be used to control a wide variety of processes and devices.

A tactile fur sensing system and a method of operating thereof allow early detection of an impending contact with an object. A plurality of filaments or threads are positioned on a zone or area of a surface of robotic device in a cost-effective manner. One or more sensors are configured to detect electrical resistance and/or displacement of the plurality of filaments or threads. A processor determines that there is contact with an object based on the detected electrical resistance and/or displacement. The detection of electrical resistance can be based on adjustable baseline values and/or adjustable threshold values. A plurality of nubs may alternatively or in addition be positioned on a surface area. Each nub has an outer cast or protection layer defining a cavity therein. At least a portion of a sensor for detecting resistance and/or displacement is positioned within the cavity of the nub.

A force, distance and contact measurement system comprising at least one low-cost tactile sensor embedded in elastomer and retrofitted onto existing robotic grippers is provided. The sensor is simple to manufacture and easy to integrate with existing hardware. The sensor can be arranged in strips and arrays, facilitating manipulation tasks in uncertain environments. The elastomer protects the sensor, provides a rugged and low-friction surface, and allows performing force measurements.

A robot includes a movable section, a first member disposed in the movable section, a second member configured to form a space between the second member and the first member, a third member located between the first member and the second member and configured to restrain displacement of the second member in a direction separating from the first member, and a pressure detecting section configured to detect pressure in the space.

A sensor includes a sensor electrode layer including a capacitive sensing unit, a first reference electrode layer provided to face a first surface of the sensor electrode layer, and a first elastic layer that is provided between the first reference electrode layer and the sensor electrode layer, and is configured to be elastically deformed by shear force added in an in-plane direction. At least one of the first reference electrode layer or the first elastic layer includes a first probe portion that is displaced in an in-plane direction in accordance with elastic deformation of the first elastic layer, and changes an electrostatic capacitance of the sensing unit.

A substrate for use in an electronic skin is disclosed herein. The substrate comprises a base polymer layer, a first intermediate polymer layer is attached to the base polymer layer by a first adhesive layer, and the first intermediate polymer layer comprises a first intermediate polymer in which electron-rich groups are linked directly to one another or by an optionally substituted C.sub.1-4 alkanediyl groups. A first conductive layer is attached to the first intermediate polymer layer by a second adhesive layer or by multiple second adhesive layers between which a second intermediate polymer layer or a second conductive layer is disposed. Nanowires are present on the first conductive layer.

A method for determining a resultant force is provided including includes performing a standard calibration by evenly applying a force across a plurality of sensing areas of a sensor system, performing a non-standard calibration by non-evenly applying a force across the plurality of sensing areas of the sensor system, developing a machine learning algorithm based on data collected during the standard calibration and the non-standard calibration, detecting a field use force applied to a sensing area of the sensor system, and using the machine learning algorithm to correct a force measurement of the field use force applied to the sensing area of the sensor system.