Artificial Skin Perception

Abstract

interact with the world. This inspires scientists and engineers to develop flexible and stretchable electronic devices or systems to emulate the functionality of the human skin, known as electronic skin (e-skin). Recently, tremendous efforts have been made in the development of e-skin from materials innovation to structural designs, which concentrate on the improvement of sensing capability (i.e., stretchability, sensitivity, long-term monitoring, etc.), user-friendly detection mode (i.e., noninvasive, inflammation-free, gaspermeable, implantable, etc.), systemlevel integration (i.e., data transmission, power supply, etc.), and the realization of new functions (i.e., self-healing). [5][6][7] However, as one of the essential elements to mimic human intelligence, the functionality of perception, that is, interpretation of acquired sensory data, is still lacking in most e-skin systems. Implementing the perception functionality in a flexible and stretchable sensing system, referred to as artificial skin perception is vital to realizing an authentically intelligent artificial skin, with capabilities beyond human skin (Figure 1b). Coupled with sensing, feedback, and other technologies (Figure 1c), artificial skin perception will significantly accelerate the development of next-generation soft robotics, where a low-latency and energy-efficient data processing module is required to enable fast adaptation to dynamic environments.Currently, perception processes of most e-skin systems take place in centralized processing units, that is, computers or servers in the cloud, located far away from the sensing systems where sensory signals are generated. These sensory signals, usually time-serial, unstructured, and redundant, need to be continually sent to an external processing end. As a result, there will be a tremendous volume of data movements between the sensing end and the processing end, leading to huge energy consumption. [8,9] Moreover, the frequent and continual exchange of data causes a serious burden to data communication due to the limited bandwidth of communication channels in current sensing systems, especially when a large number of sensors are mounted on the large-area sensing system. [9][10][11] This leads to a notorious latency problem, known as a time delay in response for data communication. [9] The latency issue severely hinders the development of ultrafast responsive and delaysensitive intelligent systems, such as advanced robotics and Skin is the largest organ, with the functionalities of protection, regulation, and sensation. The emulation of human skin via flexible and stretchable electronics gives rise to electronic skin (e-skin), which has realized artificial sensation and other functions that cannot be achieved by conventional electronics. To date, tremendous progress has been made in data acquisition and transmission for e-skin systems, while the implementation of perception within systems, that is, sensory data processing, is still in its infancy. Integrating the perception functionality into a flex...

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