A portable electrical impedance tomography based pressure mapping sensor and force localisation validation system.

This work presents portable, low-cost hardware for pressure mapping using EIT-based soft sensors. An important part of developing these EIT-based pressure sensors is the sensor characterisation. Therefore, this work also provides the design of a system for characterising and validating the spatial, pressure, and temporal performance of different soft sensor material domains. The system is capable of driving soft EIT-based sensors using a range of sensing materials, shapes, and configurations. The hardware allows for the wireless transmission of EIT data to a remote device. A data capture frame rate of 12.7 Hz allows for the analysis of dynamic events. The maximum current drive voltage is ±22 V and a voltage read resolution of allowing for a range of sensing domain sizes, thicknesses, and materials. A Cartesian force applicator device has been developed for the automated pressure mapping sensor characterisation which can apply and sense loads from 0 to 100 N with a resolution of ±50 mN at rates of 0 - 800 mm/min. Loads can be applied with an error of ±0.01 mm. A standardised method has been provided for researchers to experiment with a range of different sensing domain materials and shapes. The system described in this work is suitable for both research and practical applications, making it a valuable tool for advancing the field of EIT-based soft pressure mapping sensor technology.