Engineers in Hong Kong have developed an innovative sensor inspired by the abilities of weakly electric fish, such as mormyrids, which detect objects using electric fields. Designed for use in robotics and smart prosthetics, the sensor enables three-dimensional positioning of objects without direct contact. The system consists of two layers: one generates an electric field, while the other detects signals, capturing both the direction and distance of objects. The sensor is made from a biogel applied to an insulating base of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), offering flexibility, transparency, and the ability to conform to various shapes.
When an object enters the sensor’s range, the electric field is disrupted, and these changes are detected by the device, allowing it to calculate the distance to the target. The prototype sensor can identify objects up to 10 cm away in air and 1 meter away in water. A controller processes the data, converting it into digital signals and transmitting it to a smartphone via Bluetooth. While the controller is less flexible, it is housed in a waterproof casing and powered by a lithium-ion battery with inductive charging.
The sensor performs best with objects around 8 mm in diameter. Accuracy decreases with smaller objects, while larger ones require more processing time. It can detect through materials such as fabric or paper without loss of precision, though its performance may be affected by electromagnetic interference, changes in humidity, and certain materials.
This development opens new possibilities for creating electronic skins and sensory systems capable of perceiving their environment like living organisms, advancing the fields of robotics and medical devices.
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