Integrating an optical fiber sensor and artificial intelligence for enhanced tactile sensing in human-computer interaction

Biomimetic skin has garnered significant attention owing to its potential applications in wearable devices and intelligent robotics. Drawing inspiration from the signal processing mechanisms of human skin, this paper introduces a flexible tactile sensor utilizing fiber optics, which can be employed in the development of sensitive artificial skin. The random forest algorithm is utilized to decode the output spectrum of the optical fiber sensor for ascertaining the magnitude and location of multi-point forces through the surface of the flexible material. The sensor exhibits superior performance characteristics under constant temperature conditions, including rapid response, high stability, and flexible adjustment to various skin areas. To assess the impact of temperature, the sensor's response characteristics are experimentally evaluated within the range of 19.7-25.3 degrees C. Furthermore, an intelligent Braille button recognition interface leveraging human interaction is proposed to facilitate efficient input for individuals with visual impairments. This work integrates optical fiber detection with artificial intelligence technology, demonstrating significant potential for applications in human-computer interaction. (c) 2025 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement