A Flexible Sensor Technology for the Distributed Measurement of Interaction Pressure

Marco Donati, Nicola Vitiello, Stefano De Rossi, Tommaso Lenzi, Simona Crea, Alessandro Persichetti, Francesco Giovacchini, Bram Koopman, Janez Podobnik, Marko Munih, Maria Carrozza
2013 Sensors  
We present a sensor technology for the measure of the physical human-robot interaction pressure developed in the last years at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. The system is composed of flexible matrices of opto-electronic sensors covered by a soft silicone cover. This sensory system is completely modular and scalable, allowing one to cover areas of any sizes and shapes, and to measure different pressure ranges. In this work we present the main application areas for this technology. A first
more » ... n of the system was used to monitor human-robot interaction in upper-(NEUROExos; Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna) and lower-limb (LOPES; University of Twente) exoskeletons for rehabilitation. A second generation, with increased resolution and wireless connection, was used to develop a pressure-sensitive foot insole and an improved human-robot interaction measurement systems. The experimental characterization of the latter system along with its validation on three healthy subjects is presented here for the first time. A perspective on future uses and development of the technology is finally drafted.
doi:10.3390/s130101021 pmid:23322104 pmcid:PMC3574719 fatcat:qf42tdhz7be43afmxy33e4lj6a