Neuromorphic Skin Based on Emerging Artificial Synapses

Abstract

Neuromorphic skin is an emerging electronic skin that demonstrates sensory, memory, learning, and motor responses in a neuromorphic way by using advanced artificial synaptic devices that emulate the biological nervous system and its neural plasticity. Many types of artificial synapses that emulate brain-inspired computing have been developed and are being integrated in electronic skin to demonstrate artificial sensory and motor nervous systems. The neuromorphic skin, which operates using voltage spikes thereof, precisely mimics the energy-efficient information processing of biological nervous system in the brain and body and enables the implementation of power- and time-efficient cognitive sensors and computing, biomimetic robotics and electronics, and biocompatible neuroprosthetics. Here, biological synapses and emerging artificial synapses are introduced, and recent research is reviewed on neuromorphic skins that use artificial synapses for sensing, memory, learning, and motor systems. Finally, the outlook and challenges to be addressed are provided for future advanced neuromorphic skin in which all neuromorphic parts are integrated with brain-inspired computing and bioinspired robotics.