New Software Bionic Haptic Actuator Design Based on Barometric Array

To address the limitations of single-point tactile perception in soft biomimetic actuators, such as fixed positioning, limited coverage area, low resolution at long distances from the geometric center, and challenges in maintaining high sensitivity and stability over a broad range, a novel soft biomimetic tactile actuator based on a pneumatic array is designed and manufactured. Using liquid silicone rubber and BMP280 pressure sensor, the actuator was crafted by an injection molding process. Silicone gel was injected into the pressure sensor array, and vacuum extraction created a sealed space within the sensor cavity. The pressure excitation applied on the surface of the actuator could be converted into electrical signals, enabling tactile pressure detection. An STM32 microprocessor is utilized for building haptic information acquisition and processing system, with sensitivity assessed using the Kalman filter algorithm. Experimental results show that the soft biomimetic tactile actuator has high sensitivity and minimal repetition error, which can effectively detects changes in tactile force output, mitigates noise interference, and enhances the precision and stability of physiological pressure data feedback in physiotherapy applications.