Electroactive polymers based skin and muscles for man machine interfaces

Biomimetic electroactive polymers (EAP) sensors and actuators are being developed in forms which enable the realization of distributed skin-like sensing and pseudomuscular systems. Electrostrictive polymer actuators and piezoresistive polymers in form of fibers, threads, fabrics are under development and their mechanoelectric transduction properties are under characterisation. A wearable interface in form of an haptic glove has been designed recurring to biomechanical arguments and then built. It is intended to be used in the virtual reality and rehabilitation fields. An android face has also been constructed, endowed with stereotipal expressivity. Facial movements will be governed by biomimetic actuators and controlled by learning algorithm to emulate a limited set of an actor face expression. Animatronics is its intended field of use. This paper will mostly address crucial material issues to be identified and solved to realize truly effective interfaces.