Development of a palm tactile sensor driven by an artificial muscle actuator that uses liquid metal as its working fluid

Abstract

To provide tactile feedback to human’s palm, the palm-based devices has been developed, which is equipped with tactile sensors. Currently, soft actuators are used to drive the artificial muscles in this device, but the presence of electrical wiring makes it difficult to achieve complex motions and make the device wearable. However, it is difficult to make the device wearable. Thus, we aimed to invent a palm-type device that does not require wiring by mounting an actuator and a tactile sensor in a palm-type device using liquid metal as the working fluid. As a first step, we have developed a palm-type device with a tactile sensor in the palm of hand.