Recent Advances in Flexible Tactile Sensors Based on PEDOT:PSS

With the growing demand for flexible, high-performance sensing systems in healthcare, robotics, and human-machine interfaces, tactile sensors have received unprecedented attention. Flexible tactile sensors enable in-situ real-time sensing and transmission of multi-dimensional physical information such as pressure, strain, and temperature, driving the development of precise and humanized intelligent technologies. Devices fabricated from organic materials typically exhibit a low elastic modulus and intrinsic stretchability, making them well-suited for the development of high-performance flexible tactile sensors. In this case, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has attracted much attention due to its tunable conductivity and good mechanical flexibility, bringing a new breakthrough for flexible tactile sensing. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances of PEDOT:PSS-based flexible tactile sensors (P-FTSs) in terms of material design, sensing mechanisms, device fabrication, performance evaluation and functional applications from a multi-dimensional perspective of pressure, strain, and temperature sensing. Furthermore, challenges and opportunities for P-FTSs are discussed. This review underscores the transformative potential of PEDOT:PSS-based tactile sensors, providing a roadmap for the next generation of smart tactile technologies. • A comprehensive overview of recent advances in PEDOT:PSS-based flexible tactile sensors is presented. • The summary of tactile sensors covers pressure, strain and temperature sensing. • The advantages of PEDOT:PSS for preparing flexible sensors are highlighted. • Material innovation, sensing mechanism, fabrication methods and application are summarized. • Challenges and developing trends are discussed.