In the rapidly evolving field of human-machine interfaces (HMIs), high-resolution wearable electronic skin (e-skin) is essential for user interaction. However, traditional array-structured tactile interfaces require increased number of interconnects, while soft material–based computational methods have limited functionalities. Here, we introduce a thin and soft e-skin for tactile interfaces, offering high mapping capabilities through electrical impedance tomography (EIT). We employed an organic/inorganic hybrid structure with simple, cost-effective fabrication processes, ensuring flexibility and stability. The conductive and stretchable sensing domain includes a micropatterned multiwall carbon nanotube and elastomer composite. The skin-like tactile interface effectively detects pressure-induced conductivity changes, offering superior spatiotemporal resolution with fewer interconnects (pixel/interconnects >57). This EIT-based tactile interface discerns external pressures to a submillimeter degree and vertical deformations of a few hundred micrometers. It sustains stable functions under external damage or environmental changes, confirming its suitability for persistent wearable use. We demonstrate practical applications in real-time HMIs: handwriting recognition and drone control.

This paper reports a flexible tactile sensor array based on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures with high sensitivity and durability. The CNTs-embedded PDMS microstructures are fabricated by synthesizing vertically aligned bundles on a quadrangular pyramid-etched silicon mold and transferring them to the PDMS. This structure shows the mechanical robustness originating from axially grown CNTs. Furthermore, after transferring the CNTs from the mold, the top of the CNTs are exposed on the surface of the PDMS structure. These exposed CNTs provide an electrical connection with an electrode as well as a sensitive change in the contact area when the pressure is applied. The number of contact points between embedded CNTs also increases as the applied pressure, leading to a highly sensitive response to tactile stimulation. The tactile sensor array with microstructured CNT-PDMS composites recognizes the location and magnitude of the applied load.