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Wireless power transfer (WPT) has the significant potential for soft-bodied continuum robots to extend the operational time limitlessly and reduce weight. However, rigid power receiver coils, widely used in WPT, hinder the continuum deformation of the robot, and as a result, the function realization using the continuum deformation (e.g., locomotion) is impaired. Therefore, this article introduces that a soft-bodied continuum robot can be designed by using thin film receiver coils and an inductively coupled wireless powering solution without sacrificing the continuum deformation and locomotion ability. A system is described for powering and controlling a soft robotic caterpillar consisting of nothing more than its continuum structure, actuators, and thin/flexible power receiving coils.

In this paper, we consider the design challenges and solutions for achieving both good electrical performance and convenience of use for skin wearable electronics. User convenience includes both enhancing the benefit of using the device and minimizing the interference with normal life caused by the device. The electrical performance includes reliability of conductors and inter-connections to discrete components, as well as the RF performance of the antenna for wireless communication. We discuss flexibility and stretchability as solutions for user convenience, but also consider the negative effects they cause for the electrical reliability. Further, we identify size and height as important factors for both convenience and RF performance.

This paper presents an introduction and overview of wireless sensors in IoT applications. A typical sensor architecture is described from sensor to the cloud. Four distinct methods of achieving power autonomy are developed. These are battery powered short lifetime devices, energy harvester powered devices for indefinite operation, inductively coupled wireless powered devices for short distances and devices based on passive radio back scattering. Four concrete technical examples of whole system solutions, each exploiting one of the mentioned powering strategies are presented.

Industrial internet will improve process control and increase efficiency to maximize industrial output. Key enabling technologies include low-power wireless communication, energy harvesting power autonomous devices along with the latest in sensing devices. This paper presents a wireless sensing system developed for the key industrial application of condition monitoring, specifically; valve leakage detection. The system integrates advances in all of the three aforementioned topics. A novel MEMS-based acoustic emission sensor is described to detect valve leakage manifested as vibrations in certain frequency bands. An in-house developed ultra-low power wake up radio technology, which enables the deployment of this sensor, will be presented. Two energy-harvesting systems: thermal harvesting in the sensor node and an industrial current loop harvester for the base station are developed. Integration and piloting of this system is described and evaluation results presented. The system presented offers a repeatable and adaptable sensor system deployed for valve leakage detection in an ATEX industrial environment.

Online condition monitoring of motors has the potential to significantly reduce costs related to maintenance, improve operational safety and increase lifetime of the systems. Machine integrated sensor systems, with wireless readout can enable seamless deployment of such monitoring systems. This paper presents a system developed for the online monitoring of a critical point of wear in rotating machines; the axle-bearing interface in a motor. An acceleration sensor is integrated into a 3D printed motor axle along with its wiring to provide an interface on the axle end. A readout system with wireless communications is developed. Spin testing of the device is carried out on a test motor and simple verification of the integrated sensor presented.

Wearable electronics require thin and flexible substrate materials for user comfort. We propose a substrate material based on a nanocellulose–polyurethane matrix. The stretchability, i.e. Young's modulus and breaking strain, of the material can be tuned by nanocellulose concentration. We describe the fabrication process and demonstrate the modulation of the mechanical properties. Further, we present oxygen and water vapour permeability, as well as dielectric properties' measurements. Effects of substrate properties on printing of metallic conductors are considered. Laser cutting of the substrate and lamination of several layers of substrate material together are demonstrated, as well as hybrid integration of discrete components on the substrate. As an integrated demonstrator, a patch for local skin surface temperature measurement is presented. The patch thickness is 50 μm, and it consists of two layers of the substrate material, printed metallic conductors and hybrid integrated temperature sensors.

This demonstration will present an industrial process monitoring system developed at VTT and piloted at Metso Flow Control Oy for the application of valve leakage detection. The system applies a MEMs based acoustic emission sensor for the detection of valve micro fractures manifested as acoustic emissions in high-pressure valves. A whole system is developed including an asynchronous ultra-low power wake up radio and energy harvesters for both the sensor nodes and base station device giving a fully energy autonomous solution [1].