Proceedings of MATSUS Spring 2024 Conference (MATSUS24)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2024.364
Publication date: 18th December 2023
An iontronic-based artificial tactile nerve is a promising technology for emulating the tactile recognition and learning of human skin with low power consumption. However, its weak tactile memory and complex integration structure remain challenging. We present an ion trap and release dynamics (iTRD)-driven, neuro-inspired monolithic artificial tactile neuron (NeuroMAT) that can achieve tactile perception and memory consolidation in a single device. Through tactile-driven release of ions initially trapped within iTRD-iongel, NeuroMAT only generates non-intrusive synaptic memory signals when mechanical stress is applied under voltage stimulation. The induced tactile memory is augmented by auxiliary voltage pulses independent of tactile sensing signals. We integrate NeuroMAT with an anthropomorphic robotic hand system to imitate memory-based human motion; the robust tactile memory of NeuroMAT enables the hand to consistently perform reliable gripping motion. We utilized the augmented tactile memory of NeuroMAT to develop a NeuroMATICS-based robotic hand system, which consistently and reliably emulated tactile-memory-driven human motion. Our theoretical study and practical demonstration of the iTRD behavior can provide an inspiration with artificial nerve disciplines and can be extended to in the field of neuromorphic electronic skin and machine learning.
This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Programs (2017R1A5A1015596 and 2020R1A2C3014237) and the National R&D Programs (2021M3H4A1A03049075, 2022M3H4A1A02085183, and 2022M3C1A3090818) of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.