A Biomimetic Soft Lens Controlled by Electrooculographic Signal

Thanks to many unique features, soft robots or soft machines have been recently explored intensively to work collaboratively with human beings. Most of the previously developed soft robots are either controlled manually or by prewritten programs. In the current work, a novel human–machine interface is developed to use electrooculographic signals generated by eye movements to control the motions and the change of focal length of a biomimetic soft lens. The motion and deformation of the soft lens are achieved by the actuation of different areas of dielectric elastomer films, mimicking the working mechanisms of the eyes of human and most mammals. The system developed in the current study has the potential to be used in visual prostheses, adjustable glasses, and remotely operated robotics in the future. An interface between humans and a biomimetic soft lens is constructed, enabling the control of the lens by electrooculographic signals. Triggered by a double blink, the lens can be switched from a near vision mode to a distance vision mode due to the focal length change. Within each vision mode, the lens can move following the direction of the eye motions.