Tekscan FlexiForce A401
The Tekscan FlexiForce A401 is a single-element piezoresistive force sensor only 0.203 mm thick, manufactured on a polyester substrate. The active sensing area is a circle of 25.4 mm (1 in.) diameter — the largest in the standard FlexiForce line. Force range: 0–111 N (0–25 lb). Connector: 2-pin square pin header with 2.54 mm (0.1 in.) pitch.
The sensor features linearity < ±3% of full scale, repeatability < ±2.5%, and hysteresis < 4.5%. Response time < 5 μs. Durability: ≥ 3 million actuations (at 22 N load). Operating temperature: −40…+60 °C. Compatible with Tekscan measurement systems and op-amp-based analogue interfaces.
Classification
Tactile Sensor · serves as: Sensing, Grasping.
Which group Tekscan FlexiForce A401 belongs to and how it is built
Sensors is a broad subcategory of hardware components responsible for collecting data from a robot's environment, mechanisms, and electronic systems. It encompasses distance, position, pressure, temperature, voltage, current, contact, and numerous other sensor types. This subcategory applies when a component is sensory in nature but does not belong to a more specific group such as LiDAR or Vision Components.
A tactile sensor is designed to detect physical contact, pressure, force distribution, and other touch-related properties. In robotics, it is particularly important in dexterous hands, grippers, manipulators, and human–robot interaction systems. It enables contact detection, grasp force control, pressure distribution recognition, and improved manipulation precision and safety. Tactile sensors are a key component in the development of haptic perception and more natural robot–environment interaction.