fig8

Figure 8. Proof-of-concept demonstrations of the sensor. (A) Demonstration of real-time tactile sensing: Schematic illustrations depicting the primary sensing mode when a user is (i) sitting, (ii) standing, and (iii) walking. There are also normal loads in standing and walking scenarios, which are not shown for clarity purposes; (B) Measured 4-channel inductance changes of the DTTS during the above three activities, and the corresponding calculated normal and shear loads. ΔL_i/ L_i indicates the inductance change of each channel, i is from 1 to 4; (C) Demonstration of the stability of the sensor to environmental contaminants: (i) Illustrations of common environmental objects. (ii) Variations of sensing signals of the DTTS and a capacitive sensor when different environmental objects are in proximity. $$ \Delta \tilde{L} $$ is the inductance change of the inductive sensor and $$ \Delta \tilde{C} $$ is the capacitance change of the capacitive sensor when the sensors are exposed to different environmental objects. L₀ is the inductance of the inductive sensor and C₀ is the capacitance of the capacitive sensor when the sensors are free from any environmental interference. DTTS: Dual tri-axial tactile sensors; RGO: reciprocating gait orthosis.