Multifunctional electronic skin integrating dual-mode optical and pressure sensors for caregiving robots

Hyeonjun Heo ^1,2, Jinhong Park ³, Daewon Ko ^4,5

⁰Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea. dkim98@snu.ac.kr.

Nanoscale Horizons +

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August 15, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers developed a novel robotic electronic skin (e-skin) for caregiving robots. This e-skin integrates optical and pressure sensors for proximity, tactile, and vital sign monitoring, enhancing human-robot interaction safety and precision.

Area Of Science

Robotics
Materials Science
Biomedical Engineering

Background

Aging societies face caregiver shortages, increasing demand for robotic assistance.
Humanoid caregiving robots need advanced sensing for safe interaction and vital sign monitoring.
Existing electronic skin (e-skin) lacks integrated proximity, tactile, and physiological sensing.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop a multifunctional robotic e-skin for enhanced caregiving robot capabilities.
To enable simultaneous detection of proximity, tactile, and physiological signals.
To improve the safety, precision, and reliability of human-robot interactions in caregiving.

Main Methods

Vertical integration of an optical sensor array (QLEDs and perovskite photodetectors) and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based pressure sensor array.
Optical sensors enable dual-mode proximity detection and photoplethysmography (PPG) measurements.
Pressure sensors provide tactile feedback and support physiological monitoring.

Main Results

The developed e-skin successfully integrates optical and pressure sensing functionalities.
Dual-mode optical sensing allows for both proximity detection and PPG measurements.
CNT pressure sensors offer tactile feedback and enhance physiological signal stability and accuracy.
Array structure enables cross-validation of proximity and PPG data, improving reliability.

Conclusions

The multifunctional e-skin advances robotic sensing for caregiving applications.
This technology is crucial for developing sophisticated and safe humanoid caregiving robots.
The integrated sensing capabilities pave the way for more natural and effective human-robot collaboration.