Soft Multimodal Sensors with Decoupled Multimodality and Minimal Wiring for Wearable Systems

Abstract

Soft multimodal sensors represent a promising approach for applications in wearable systems and skin-adhesive devices, benefiting from their flexibility and body compatibility. However, the complexity of sensor wiring design poses challenges while employing multimodal decoupling. Although recent studies have applied various methods, such as adjusting the electrical properties of materials, these methods encounter limitations in signal decoupling when multichannel measurements are implemented. In this study, a signal measurement method utilizing frequency response analysis is developed using a multi-band band-stop filter (MBBSF) for multiple multimodal sensors. This approach enables the decoupling of different types of sensors and allows for the simultaneous collection of sensor data through a two-wire connection. Consequently, it facilitates the concurrent and independent real-time assessment of strain and force in each sensor. A sensor glove is developed incorporating multiple multimodal sensors with a two-wire connection to measure grip posture and force. This glove is used effectively to classify unknown objects, thereby demonstrating its practical utility. This practical application provides a promising solution to the complex wiring challenges commonly encountered in multi-modal sensor wearable systems. The research introduces a novel signal measurement method that employs frequency response analysis for multiple multimodal sensors using only two wires. This method facilitates the decoupling of different sensor types and enables the simultaneous collection of data from independent multimodal sensors. The study addresses the challenges of wiring complexity and multimodality decoupling in wearable systems. image