Case study
Robotic tactile sensing with Platilon® TPU films
Robotic tactile sensing will be essential for humanoid AI robots. Platilon® TPU films are an ideal solution for conductive ink-based tactile sensors on robotic hands. The artificial skin-like substrate embeds printed electronics that maintain sensor performance through countless flexing cycles.
By 2050, there will be 4 billion AI robots among us; self-propelled units that can see, move, talk, learn and act, a recent Citigroup GPS report estimates. Autonomous vehicles will be the most widespread, but humanoid robots will grow into a $7 trillion market as they take over precision tasks in industry, and see also wide use in housekeeping and elderly care. These electronic devices will trigger a demand for new types of sensor technology offering deeper compatibility with humans.
Robotic sensor technology requires a stretchable circuitry substrate with optimal mechanical properties. This surface solution must accommodate silver-based conductive ink in finely printed patterns, providing high-adhesion circuits that can bend and twist with human-like contours. Critically, these electronic components must remain connected throughout stretching and deformation. The sensors also need to function regardless of temperature and humidity levels while the surface is subjected to countless flexing cycles. The substrate material must also maintain its dimensions during curing, for seamless integration into production processes that can scale quickly.
Advanced Platilon® TPU films are specifically engineered for flexible printed electronics. These multilayer, durable TPU substrates can accommodate fine-line printing for high-resolution FSR (force-sensing resistor) sensing. For demanding AI robotic applications and medical devices, the polypropylene carrier option ensures dimensional stability during conversion and curing.
Flexible TPU films can be easily shaped to fit complex finger and palm geometries. High mechanical strength grades of Platilon® deliver the robustness needed for industrial robotic applications, without sacrificing the stretchability that deformable circuitry demands. Conductive inks were jointly developed with our suppliers to work under a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. The final product is a substrate surface that feels like artificial skin, enabling 3D shaped electronics that provide reliable tactile sensor feedback under constant use. This innovation creates new possibilities for how machines can interact with humans.
Flexible TPU films can be easily shaped to fit complex finger and palm geometries. High mechanical strength grades of Platilon® deliver the robustness needed for industrial robotic applications, without sacrificing the stretchability that deformable circuitry demands. Conductive inks were jointly developed with our suppliers to work under a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. The final product is a substrate surface that feels like artificial skin, enabling 3D shaped electronics that provide reliable tactile sensor feedback under constant use. This innovation creates new possibilities for how machines can interact with humans.
Key benefits
- Stretchable: Our flexible, stretchable TPU substrate is ideal for humanoid sensor materials.
- Highly conductive: Conductive ink sensor arrays maintain performance during repeated deformation.
- Robust: Durable TPU substrates are designed to withstand countless flexing cycles.
- Human-like touch: For potential medical applications, TPU films offer skin-like tactile properties.
- Easy processing: Platilon® maintains its dimensions during curing for scalable production.
