forcesensitive

Forcesensitive is an adjective used in engineering and related fields to describe a system, device, or material that detects, responds to, or is influenced by applied physical forces with measurable sensitivity. The term is often applied to sensors and actuators that quantify force magnitude and direction or adjust behavior in response to sensed load.

Its etymology derives from combining force with sensitive, reflecting the property of being receptive to mechanical input. The concept gained prominence with the development of force sensors in MEMS technology during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and has since broadened to include tactile sensing and human-machine interfaces.

Technical factors include the sensor's sensitivity range, linearity, hysteresis, drift, and environmental conditions such as temperature. Common force-sensitive devices include piezoresistive, capacitive, and optical force sensors, as well as tactile arrays and haptic actuators. Integration with control systems enables force-adaptive control, compliant manipulation, and safe human-robot interaction.

Applications span robotics (grasping and manipulation with controlled contact forces), medical devices (force monitoring during minimally invasive procedures), automotive safety systems (impact and pedal force sensing), consumer electronics (pressure-sensitive inputs and wearables), and industrial automation (load monitoring and feedback control).

See also: force sensing resistor, tactile sensor, haptic feedback, MEMS sensor. Notes about ambiguity: Some sources may use the term more narrowly to refer to force sensors themselves rather than the broader category of force-responsive systems.