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Updated: Oct 19, 2025
A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator TAPS
Published on: June 3, 2009
A low voltage-powered soft electromechanical stimulation patch for haptics feedback in human-machine interfaces
Wenying Qiu1, Junwen Zhong2, Tao Jiang1
1Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Berkeley Sensor & Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Tsinghua Shenzhen International School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
Abstract:
One grand challenge in haptic human-machine interface devices is to electromechanically stimulate sensations on the human skin wirelessly by thin and soft patches under a low driving voltage. Here, we propose a soft haptics-feedback system using highly charged, polymeric electret films with an annulus-shape bump structure to induce mechanical sensations on the fingertip of volunteers under an applied voltage range of 5-20 V. As an application demonstration, a 3 × 3 actuators array is used for transmitting patterned haptic information, such as letters of 'T', 'H', 'U' letters and numbers of '0', '1', '2'. Moreover, together with flexible lithium batteries and a flexible circuit board, an untethered stimulation patch is constructed for operations of 1 h. The analytical model, design principle, and performance characterizations can be applicable for the integration of other wearable electronics toward practical applications in the fields of AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality) and robotics.
