Flexible electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an emerging technology for tactile sensing in human-machine interfaces (HMI). It offers a unique alternative to traditional array-based tactile sensors with its flexible, scalable, and cost-effective one-piece design. This paper proposes a lattice-patterned flexible EIT tactile sensor with a hydrogel-based conductive layer, designed for enhanced sensitivity while maintaining durability. We conducted simulation studies to explore the influence of lattice width and conductive layer thickness on sensor performance, establishing optimized sensor design parameters for enhanced functionality. Experimental evaluations demonstrate the sensor's capacity to detect diverse tactile patterns with a high accuracy. The practical utility of the sensor is demonstrated through its integration within an HMI setup to control a virtual game, showcasing its potential for dynamic, multi-functional tactile interactions in real-time applications. This study reinforces the potential of EIT-based flexible tactile sensors, establishing a foundation for future advancements in wearable, adaptable HMI technologies.

翻译：柔性电阻抗成像（EIT）是人机界面（HMI）触觉传感领域的一项新兴技术。其采用灵活、可扩展且经济高效的一体化设计，为传统基于阵列的触觉传感器提供了一种独特的替代方案。本文提出了一种采用水凝胶导电层、具有晶格图案的柔性EIT触觉传感器，旨在提升灵敏度的同时保持耐用性。我们通过仿真研究探究了晶格宽度与导电层厚度对传感器性能的影响，确立了用于增强功能性的优化传感器设计参数。实验评估表明，该传感器能够以高精度检测多种触觉模式。通过将其集成于HMI装置中以控制虚拟游戏的案例，展示了传感器在实际应用中的效用，凸显了其在实时动态多功能触觉交互中的潜力。本研究进一步证实了基于EIT的柔性触觉传感器的潜力，为未来可穿戴、自适应HMI技术的发展奠定了基础。