Recent Advances of Flexible Pressure Tactile Sensors: Sensing Mechanisms, Performance Breakthroughs, and Intelligent Applications

As a critical hardware component for machines to intelligently perceive physical interactions, pressure tactile sensors have achieved remarkable breakthroughs in recent years, driven by advancements in flexible electronics, new materials, and artificial intelligence. This review systematically summarizes the research progress in the field, covering sensing mechanisms, performance optimization, and application scenarios. In terms of sensing principles, this review introduces the working mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of mainstream technologies such as piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric sensing, and highlights the trend of multi-principle integration for enhancing perceptual dimensions. Regarding performance improvements, groundbreaking progress in key metrics such as high sensitivity, wide linear range, multi-dimensional force sensing, and miniaturization integration is summarized, emphasizing strategies such as micro/nano structural design, material modification, and system integration. In applications, the focus is placed on innovative uses in human–computer interaction, smart healthcare, and the Internet of Things, including robotic fine manipulation, wearable health monitoring, and smart environmental perception. Finally, this review outlines future development trends toward multifunctional, intelligent, and integrated tactile sensing systems. It aims to provide a comprehensive reference for researchers in the field and promote the innovative development of intelligent tactile perception technology.