PVDF Dynamic Tactile Event Sensor for Ubiquitous Computing

Interaction requires dynamic relationship between objects. In ubiquitous computing environment, interaction between human and the environment is implied. Tactile interaction has so far been less addressed, while tactile sensation should be an important topic in the field of multimedia study. This paper describes development of a novel PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) dynamic tactile sensor and associated experiments. PVDF dynamic tactile sensors detect touch events applied to the sensor skin by low frequency components of the signal. Rubber skin-covered sensing material was mounted on the bones. Robust performance with low noise was figured out in our robotic experiment. Whereas most conventional sensors are interested in measurement, our dynamic tactile sensor is sensitive to change of state, which could be a key for economic understanding of happenings in the dynamic world. We note that dynamic sensing uses motion as a part of sensing modality We suggest that dynamic sensing be understood in technological terms in the perspective of interactive media and ubiquitous computing.