Gravity Flexible Array Tactile Pressure Sensors

Introduction

DFRobot’s Gravity Flexible Array Tactile Pressure Sensor family combines thin-film sensing matrices with UART output for measuring pressure distribution and localized changes in applied force. The portfolio includes two compact array formats: the 36-point SEN0704 and the 32-point SEN0705. Rather than providing a single force reading, these sensors capture force information across multiple sensing points, making them suitable where the position and pattern of compression matter.

What it does

The sensors detect compression or pressing forces across a flexible array and provide pressure data through a UART interface. Each sensing point supports a pressure range from 20 g to 5 kg, with a 20 g trigger force.

Two array configurations are available:

• SEN0704: 6 × 6 sensing array with 36 detection points and a 15 × 15 mm sensing area.
• SEN0705: 4 × 8 sensing array with 32 detection points and a 20 × 10 mm sensing area.

Both operate from a 5 V DC supply and support 20 Hz or 50 Hz sampling. The thin-film sensing-matrix approach enables pressure distribution to be measured over a small area rather than at a single discrete switch or force-sensing location.

The family is specified for operation from −20 °C to +65 °C and for durability exceeding 1,000,000 actuations at 1 kg force. An adapter board measuring 20 mm × 12 mm is included in the stated hardware dimensions.

Applications

Potential uses that follow from the array-based pressure measurement capability include:

• Touch, press, or grip detection in compact embedded interfaces
• Pressure-distribution experiments and force-mapping prototypes
• Small robotic end-effectors requiring localized contact feedback
• Interactive control surfaces that respond to the position of applied pressure
• Compression monitoring in fixtures, pads, or user-interface mechanisms
• Educational and laboratory projects involving tactile sensing and UART data acquisition

Design considerations

System designers should select the array geometry according to the required sensing coverage and point arrangement: the SEN0704 offers a square 15 × 15 mm, 6 × 6 matrix, while the SEN0705 uses a 20 × 10 mm, 4 × 8 format.

Integration requires a 5 V DC supply and a host system capable of receiving UART pressure data. Sampling-rate selection between 20 Hz and 50 Hz should be considered in relation to the speed of the pressure event being monitored and the amount of sensor data the host must process.

The stated force range applies per sensing point, from 20 g to 5 kg. Mechanical designs should therefore account for how an applied load is distributed across the sensing matrix rather than treating the specified range as a single whole-array limit. The sensor’s operating-temperature range and the 20 mm × 12 mm adapter-board size should also be considered when planning enclosure and interconnect layouts.

Availability and further information

Further information is available through the source/distributor link and any datasheet links provided on this page.