An Ultrasonic Approach to Tactile Sensing: A Study of Soft Helmholtz Resonators

This study investigates the properties and applications of soft ultrasonic Helmholtz resonators as tactile sensors. Helmholtz resonators are characterized by their unique design, which includes a cavity and a narrow neck, allowing them to resonate at specific frequencies determined by their geometric dimensions. The research focuses on the fabrication and performance of these resonators and characterize them as they deform under force. Our ongoing work utilizes computational models and experimental techniques to analyze the resonator's frequency response in the audible range. These findings reveal that modifications in the resonator geometry should enable taxels to emit ultrasonic signals as well. We now test whether these models accurately predict ultrasonic designs. Acoustic technology can provide a robotic solution to tactile sensing without the use of electronics near the point of contact. By making resonators ultrasonic, they are more suitable for human interaction.