Actuation and Sensing properties of Electroactive Polymer Whiskers

Abstract

In a world of unknown, touch modality is a key avenue for environments exploration. Implementation of such modality in mobile robot has been a major challenge for many research teams. Recently, several artificial whisker systems have been studied as promising tactile sensor. One key to the whisker's functionality is its sensor system. Our laboratory recently synthesized new electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator/sensor based on interpenetrated polymer networks (IPN) as host matrix and electrically conducting polymer. The first results of such actuator/sensor devices and their integration in a whisker prototype will be presented.