Finger TPS II - Finger Pressure Sensor System

FingerTPS™ is a wearable fingertip pressure sensing system that quantifies grip, touch, and contact forces during real hand tasks. Each sensor sits on a single fingertip, capturing accurate pressure data at the point of contact, without restricting natural hand movement.
For full-hand pressure distribution, see the TactileGlove.

Finger Sensor Features:

• Design or research with accurate, sensitive and repeatable data even for complex finger geometry.

• Comfortable, naturally wearable and minimally-intrusive system allows for full range of motion and ensures natural hand manipulation research.

• Plug and play with minimal configuration required. Just place on the finger, calibrate the sensors on load cell provided and Chameleon auto-detects your hand configuration.

• Compact wireless Bluetooth electronics provides simple and easy to use set-up. Short thin wires connect fingertip sensors to the wrist-mounted Bluetooth module

• Connect two wrist and finger assemblies at the same time for two handed operations.

• Various finger sensor sizes available, see sizing chart for details.

PRODUCT Description

For product designers and researchers who work to quantify hand forces during real tasks, PPS's FingerTPS system is a precise and practical measurement tool. It utilises highly sensitive capacitive-based pressure sensors to reliably quantify forces applied by the human hand on objects. Along with its comfortable and slim design, FingerTPS uses wireless Bluetooth® connectivity for natural operation with minimal wiring. When used with PPS's Chameleon™ Tactile Visualization and Recording (TVR) software, the FingerTPS system can be easily reconfigured and recalibrated for different hand measurement tasks.

FingerTPS quantifies finger and fingertip pressure distribution to support hand ergonomics research and product development. Use the finger sensors to quantify the effort exerted while gripping, grasping, or performing fine hand tasks. The wearable design allows a full range of motion so data is captured as actions are performed naturally. High-resolution measurement, repeatable sensor performance, and ease of use make FingerTPS one of the most practical pressure measurement systems available for engineers, designers, and researchers.

Applications

The FingerTPS system can be applied in nearly any application where forces exerted on or by the hand need to be measured.

• User interaction testing in industrial design

• Human factors and ergonomics research

• Physiology and musculoskeletal research

• Worker safety assessment

• Rehabilitation and occupational therapy

• Athletic and sports performance assessment

• Fingertip pressure profiling and finger pressure mapping

• Ergonomic keyboard design

• Manually operated port and fitting design

• Touch interfaces between people and machines

• Robotic tactile sensing

• Grip profiling

The FingerTPS system can be applied in nearly any application where forces exerted on or by the fingers need to be measured. See how tactile sensing is revolutionising inclusive product design.

Recent Research

FingerTPS has featured in published research across surgical skills, ergonomics, robotics, rehabilitation, and sports science. A selection of recent studies:

RESEARCH ARTICLE - Characterization and valuation of a five-fingered hand exoskeleton for assistance in activities of daily living - March 2025 - Springer

RESEARCH ARTICLE - An objective skill assessment framework for microsurgical anastomosis based on ALI scores - February 2024 - ResearchGate

RESEARCH ARTICLE - Glove-Net: Enhancing Grasp Classification with Multisensory Data and Deep Learning - July 2024 - MDPI

RESEARCH ARTICLE - Skin-Inspired Triple Tactile Sensors Integrated on Robotic Fingers for Bimanual Manipulation - October 2023 - IEEE

RESEARCH ARTICLE - Biomechanical risk factors associated with distal upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in endoscopists performing colonoscopy - January 2021 - GIE Journal

CASE STUDY - When a Palm Pressure Sensor Changed Neonatal CPR - PPS Insights

View all research papers

FingerTps System Specifications

FingerTPS Sensor Specifications

Electronic Specifications

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.How many sensors come with a purchase of a FingerTPS System?

Your choice of any two finger sensors come with one system, so you can for example order index finger and thumb, or palm sensor and any one finger. You may order additional finger sensors, if you need.

2. Is the FingerTPS System one-size fits all?

The sensors are offered in various sizes from XS to L. Please refer to the FingerTPS Sizing Chart to determine the best sized finger sensor for you.

3. Can I use a FingerTPS sensor on any finger?

That will depend on the difference between the individual fingers. If, for example, your ring finger and middle finger are a similar size, you can use the same sensor for either of them. We would not suggest using a smaller finger sensor on a larger finger as stretching the sensor cloth casing may damage the sensor. Using a larger sensor for a smaller finger might, on the other hand, provide inaccurate data. However, you can swap the sensor system between right hand and left hand.

4. Where are the sensing elements located on the finger sensors?

The sensing elements are located in an oval shape at the bottom fingertip of each sensor. No sensing elements are located on the back of the sensor.

5. Why are there wires on the FingerTPS if it is wireless?

The system is wireless in that it does not need to be connected to the computer via wires. Short wires connect the fingertip sensors to the wrist-mounted Bluetooth module, which then transmits data to the computer over Bluetooth®.

6. What is the Bluetooth® range of the FingerTPS?

The system can be used up to 5 metres from the computer with the Bluetooth® dongle attached.

7. Are the finger sensors waterproof?

No, the FingerTPS elements are not waterproof.

8. How often does the FingerTPS require calibration?

The capacitive based sensing modality of PPS sensors results in an extremely stable sensor with superior reliability and repeatability. With proper use and care, the FingerTPS should retain its calibration for years.