Tactile sensor

The term tactile sensor usually refers to a transducer, that is sensitive to touch; comprises stress and touch sensors.

A tactile sensor comprises an array of cells which are covered by an elastic membrane, having an exposed surface which is adapted to come in contact with an object. A sensor's sensitivity indicates how much the sensor's output changes when the measured quantity changes. Sensors that measure very small changes must have very high sensitivities. Sensors need to be designed to have a small effect on what is measured, making the sensor smaller often improves this and may introduce other advantages.

Term

The term tactile refers to the sense of touch.

A tactile sensor is a device which receives and responds to a signal or stimulus having to do with the sense of touch. Sensor can be defined as a device which receives a signal and converts it into electrical form which can be further used for electronic devices.A sensor differs from a transducer in the way that a transducer converts one form of energy into other form whereas a sensor converts the received signal into electrical form only.

Uses

Tactile Sensors are used all the time in everyday objects such as elevator buttons and lamps which dim or brighten by touching the base. There are also innumerable applications for tactile sensors of which most people are never aware. Applications include manufacturing, robotics, automobiles, etc.