Self-powered electrotactile textile haptic glove for enhanced human-machine interface

Abstract

Human-machine interface (HMI) plays an important role in various fields, where haptic technologies provide crucial tactile feedback that greatly enhances user experience, especially in virtual reality/augmented reality, prosthetic control, and therapeutic applications. Through tactile feedback, users can interact with devices in a more realistic way, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of the experience. However, existing haptic devices are often bulky due to cumbersome instruments and power modules, limiting comfort and portability. Here, we introduce a concept of wearable haptic technology: a thin, soft, self-powered electrotactile textile haptic (SPETH) glove that uses the triboelectric effect and gas breakdown discharge for localized electrical stimulation. Daily hand movements generate sufficient mechanical energy to power the SPETH glove. Its features—softness, lightweight, self-sustainability, portability, and affordability—enable it to provide tactile feedback anytime and anywhere without external equipment. This makes the SPETH glove an enhanced, battery-free HMI suitable for a wide range of applications.