The soft power of electronic skin: How TPU Gives Humanoid Robots a Sense of Touch

Many people may think of electronic skin as just a few pressure sensors embedded in flexible materials. In fact, electronic skin is far more complex. It is a flexible electronic system that simulates the sensory functions of human skin, capable of sensing changes in pressure, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors, and converting this information into electrical signals in real time. It is like equipping a robot with a "layer of nerves" spread throughout its body.

Electronic skin typically consists of a flexible substrate material and various sensors, and is characterized by high sensitivity and rapid response. Among these components, the requirements for the flexible substrate are especially stringent: it must not only offer excellent durability to withstand frequent use, but also possess good flexibility to freely bend and deform, while being easy to mass-produce and process. Among various polymer film materials, high-performance thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), as a composite material, combines the high elasticity of rubber with the structural strength of plastics, and is gradually becoming the preferred material for electronic skin.

In terms of mechanics and scene adaptation, the hardness of TPU can be adjusted widely between 55A and 64D, paired with excellent rebound and deformation resistance capabilities. It can conform to complex structures such as finger joints and robot curves, and can be repeatedly bent, twisted, and stretched without damage. Moreover, it can operate stably within a temperature range of -40℃ to 100℃, making it suitable for industrial sites, outdoor environments, and medical scenarios.