Memristor-Based Bionic Tactile Devices: Opening the Door for Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence

Small. 2023 Dec 27:e2308918. doi: 10.1002/smll.202308918. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Bioinspired tactile devices can effectively mimic and reproduce the functions of the human tactile system, presenting significant potential in the field of next-generation wearable electronics. In particular, memristor-based bionic tactile devices have attracted considerable attention due to their exceptional characteristics of high flexibility, low power consumption, and adaptability. These devices provide advanced wearability and high-precision tactile sensing capabilities, thus emerging as an important research area within bioinspired electronics. This paper delves into the integration of memristors with other sensing and controlling systems and offers a comprehensive analysis of the recent research advancements in memristor-based bionic tactile devices. These advancements incorporate artificial nociceptors and flexible electronic skin (e-skin) into the category of bio-inspired sensors equipped with capabilities for sensing, processing, and responding to stimuli, which are expected to catalyze revolutionary changes in human-computer interaction. Finally, this review discusses the challenges faced by memristor-based bionic tactile devices in terms of material selection, structural design, and sensor signal processing for the development of artificial intelligence. Additionally, it also outlines future research directions and application prospects of these devices, while proposing feasible solutions to address the identified challenges.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; artificial nociceptor; bionic tactile device; electronic skin; memristor.

Publication types

  • Review