Advances in Flexible Electrotactile Devices for Restoration of Biomedical Haptic Sensation

Haptic technology often uses electrical or mechanical methods to stimulate skin mechanoreceptors, creating touch sensations that will enhance experiences in assistive technologies and virtual or augmented reality. One approach involves creating platforms that deliver spatiotemporal sensation to the skin by using thin, skin-like technologies, thus minimizing user discomfort. This review highlights the biological basis for nervous system involved in sensing and the fundamentals of electrotactile devices which facilitate tactile perception in forms suitable for integration with the skin. It discusses principles of human sensation and electrical stimulation, along with materials requirement, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities of electrotactile techniques and its performance in enabling specific biomedical haptic applications where other haptic technologies are less effective. The potential of current efforts, along with challenges and associated opportunities are also presented.