Reading Flexible, Tactile Sensors: Interface Methods And Performance Tradeoffs (Sensors USA 2019)

Piezo-resistive sensors, as their name implies, exhibit a characteristic change is electrical resistance when subjected to an external load. In order to interpret this change in resistance, an interface circuit must be used to convert this change into a signal (typically a voltage) that is readable by a microcontroller through an analog to digital converter. This talk will present three different methods for doing this conversion and the pros and cons associated with each one. A real time demonstration of the performance of the various options will be provided.

Rob Podoloff has spent the last 30 years developing new products and technologies in areas ranging from healthcare to interactive gaming to consumer electronics. Rob is a listed inventor on over 20 US Patents and is currently the CTO of Tekscan, Inc., the tactile sensor company he co-founded after completing his Master's degree at MIT. Rob also spends some of his time back at MIT where he serves as a Lab Instructor for senior capstone product design class 2.009 and freshman toy design class 2.00B.

Tekscan's patented tactile force measurement and pressure mapping solutions provide you with actionable information to optimize your product designs or improve clinical and research outcomes. Our sensors and systems are used in a wide range of applications either as a stand-alone solution or as an embedded technology.