Wireless Electrotactile System with Hydrogel-Based Electrodes for Conformal Tactile Interaction

A wireless epidermal electrotactile interface is demonstrated through integration of skin-conformal electrodes and flexible circuitry, addressing existing limitations in haptic technology caused by mechanical mismatch and system-level integration challenges. This electrotactile system achieves low stimulation thresholds (<20 V) through optimized electrode-skin modulus matching and improved electrochemical interfaces, enabling pain-free tactile sensation generation across finger pads. The millimeter-scale architecture incorporates multiplexed stimulation channels that spatially map to ISO-standard Braille configurations, demonstrating 91.90% alphanumeric recognition accuracy in human trials. Additionally, the system's movement control capabilities are demonstrated for visually impaired users navigating complex environments, enhancing their independence and interaction in daily activities.