In this work, we develop a liquid-based thin film microfluidic tactile sensor of high flexibility, robustness and sensitivity. The microfluidic elastomeric structure comprises a pressure sensitive region and parallel arcs that interface with screen-printed electrodes. The microfluidic sensor is functionalized with a highly conductive metallic liquid, eutectic gallium indium (eGaIn). Microdeformation on the pressure sensor results in fluid displacement which corresponds to a change in electrical resistance. By emulating parallel electrical circuitry in our microchannel design, we reduced the overall electrical resistance of the sensor, therefore enhancing its device sensitivity. Correspondingly, we report a device workable within a range of 4 to 100 kPa and sensitivity of up to 0.05 kPa⁻¹. We further demonstrate its robustness in withstanding >2500 repeated loading and unloading cycles. Finally, as a proof of concept, we demonstrate that the sensors may be multiplexed to detect forces at multiple regions of the hand. In particular, our sensors registered unique electronic signatures in object grasping, which could provide better assessment of finger dexterity.

Novel haptics technologies are urgently needed to bridge the gap between entirely physical world and fully digital environment to render a more realistic and immersive human–computer interaction. Current virtual reality (VR) haptic gloves either deliver limited haptic feedback or are bulky and heavy. The authors develop a haptic glove or HaptGlove, an untethered and lightweight pneumatic glove, that allows users to “physically” interact in a VR environment and enables both kinesthetic and cutaneous sensations naturally and realistically. Integrated with five pairs of haptic feedback modules and fiber sensors, HaptGlove provides variable stiffness force feedback and fingertip force and vibration feedback, allowing users to touch, press, grasp, squeeze, and pull various virtual objects and feel the dynamic haptic changes. Significant improvements in VR realism and immersion are observed in a user study with participants achieving 78.9% accuracy in sorting six virtual balls of different stiffnesses. Importantly, HaptGlove facilitates VR training, education, entertainment, and socialization in a reality–virtuality continuum.