Reconfigurable omnidirectional triboelectric whisker sensor array for adaptive tactile intelligence

As tactile perception becomes essential for next-generation intelligent robots and interactive systems, developing versatile and adaptive force-sensing interfaces is increasingly important. A research team led by Prof. Hongya Geng, Prof. Wenbo Ding and Prof. Juntian Qu reports a reconfigurable omnidirectional triboelectric whisker sensor array (RO-TWSA) that enables multidirectional force sensing, portable deployment, and adaptive interaction across complex environments. Integrating a triboelectric whisker structure (TWS) with a hydro-sealing vacuum sucker (UHSVS), the system overcomes long-standing challenges in tactile adaptability, anchoring versatility, and unit-level reconfigurability.

Why an Omnidirectional Reconfigurable Sensor Matters

• Limitations of existing tactile systems

Conventional tactile sensors lack unit mobility, cannot conform to curved or soft surfaces, and often detect only single-axis forces, requiring multiple electrodes for full-field sensing.

• Limitations of existing attachment mechanisms

Dry adhesives, microspines, electrostatic patches, and traditional vacuum cups involve trade-offs in compactness, surface compatibility, or external actuation.

• RO-TWSA advantage

By combining omnidirectional sensing with an untethered hydro-sealing suction mechanism, the RO-TWSA achieves portable, reconfigurable, and environment-adaptive tactile perception.

Key Structural Innovations

• Hydro-Sealing Vacuum Sucker (UHSVS)

The UHSVS generates a water-sealed negative-pressure chamber using a hydrogel and hydrophilic PBP-silicone ring, enabling strong, reversible adhesion over 200 cycles without external water.

• MXene-Enhanced Triboelectric Whisker Structure

The dual-triangular electrode design and MXene-doped silicone improve open-circuit voltage by 2.05×, enabling high sensitivity with minimal electrode count.

• High-precision Omnidirectional Sensing

The whisker detects forces down to 0.024 N and resolves angular changes as small as 5°, validated by experiments and simulations.

• Durability and Environmental Robustness

Stable performance is maintained after 50,000 cycles and under 95% humidity, demonstrating excellent long-term reliability.

Demonstrated Applications and Future Prospects

• Robotic tele-palpation and remote sensing

The RO-TWSA captures subtle force variations for remote robotic diagnostics and manipulation tasks.

• Surface texture perception

Real-time voltage mapping and confusion-matrix classification enable resolution-adjustable texture recognition.

• Autonomous environmental exploration

Mounted on mobile robots, the system supports tactile obstacle detection and boundary reconstruction.

• Future development

The reconfigurable architecture, strong anchoring capability, and high-resolution multidirectional sensing provide a scalable platform for next-generation wearable electronics, field robotics, spatial mapping, and human–machine–environment adaptive interfaces. The authors highlight opportunities to extend the system toward multi-sensor fusion, intelligent robotic skins, and real-world environmental interaction.