Exploring flexible sensing strategies toward embodied intelligence

The field of embodied intelligence emphasizes the adaptive development of systems through interactions with their environments, with perceptual capabilities acting as a core enabler. Accordingly, flexible sensors are increasingly integrated into embodied intelligence systems, owing to their conformability to complex morphologies and adaptability to dynamic movements. Despite the great potential of such sensors, improving their performance to further advance embodied intelligence presents cross-disciplinary challenges. This article reviews flexible sensing strategies for embodied intelligence at both the device and system levels, highlighting the path toward the synergy between hardware and software. The foundational elements underpinning the advancement of flexible sensors in embodied intelligence are introduced from both hardware and software perspectives. At the device level, various approaches for developing flexible sensors are examined for enhancing their mechanical performance and augmenting their functionalities. At the system level, the integration of flexible sensors into embodied intelligence systems is analyzed with respect to implementation approaches and the resultant intelligent behaviors. Finally, the future outlook of flexible sensing strategies for embodied intelligence systems is discussed.