Hardware Technology of Vision-Based Tactile Sensor: A Review

• Published in: IEEE sensors journal Vol. 22; no. 22; p. 1
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shixin, Chen, Zixi, Gao, Yuan, Wan, WeiWei, Shan, Jianhua, Xue, Hongxiang, Sun, Fuchun, Yang, Yiyong, Fang, Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 15.11.2022; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Camera module; Cameras; Contact module; Design optimization; Force; Hardware; Illumination module; Literature reviews; Modules; Optical measuring instruments; Performance enhancement; Robots; Sensors; Strain; Tactile sensors; Tactile sensors (robotics); Vision-based tactile sensor
• ISSN: 1530-437X; 1558-1748
• DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2022.3210210

A vision-based tactile sensor (VBTS) is an innovative optical sensor widely applied in robotic perception. The VBTS consists of a contact module, an illumination module, and a camera module. Its hardware technologies contain preparation, performance, functions, materials, and optimization design of components. However, the current literature lacks a review of hardware technologies to formulate a complete manufacturing scheme. Therefore, this paper focuses on hardware technologies and reviewed the literature over the past five years. We analyze the core components of each module and sort out a technical route. The current challenges and problems of hardware technologies are discussed to propose some feasible solutions. Considering cross-disciplinary applications, we think multidisciplinary hardware technologies are expected to promote the development of next-generation VBTSs. In addition, we aim to provide a valuable guideline for developers to improve the performance of VBTSs.