Flexible nanogenerators for intelligent robotics: design, manufacturing, and applications

Abstract The embodied artificial intelligence (EAI) is driving a significant transformation in robotics, enhancing their autonomy, efficiency and evolution ability. In this rapidly evolving technological landscape, robots need numerous sensors to realize high levels of perception, precision, safety, adaptability, and intelligence. Triboelectric and piezoelectric sensors address these needs by providing high sensitivity, flexibility, and the capability of self-powered sensing, leveraging the revolutionary nature of nanogenerators to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy on basis of Maxwell’s displacement current. These sensors surpass externally powered passive sensors by offering continuous operation, reduced maintenance, and the capability to function in remote or harsh environments. The integration of EAI with advanced nanogenerators sensors could position robotics to perform autonomously, efficiently, and safely, paving the way for innovative applications in various domains such as industrial automation, environmental monitoring, healthcare, and smart homes. In this paper, the fundamental theories, design, manufacturing, and applications of nanogenerators are comprehensively reviewed as a foundation of the advanced sensors for intelligent robotics in the new era, with three major application fields: sensing (including human–robot interaction, exteroceptive sensing and proprioceptive sensing), computing and actuating. Perspectives are addressed for nanogenerators systems in future development.