High‐Performance Hydrogels for Triboelectric Tactile Sensing: Principles, Design, and Applications

ABSTRACT The integration of high‐performance hydrogels with triboelectric tactile sensing has opened new opportunities for developing next‐generation flexible and self‐powered intelligent sensing systems. However, under complex and dynamic real‐world conditions, hydrogel‐based triboelectric tactile sensors still face significant challenges in achieving long‐term reliability and stable signal output, and a systematic, application‐oriented design framework for hydrogels remains lacking. This review starts from the fundamental mechanisms of triboelectric tactile sensing and clarifies the key requirements for high‐performance hydrogels, including mechanical stability, reliable electrical output, environmental tolerance, and interfacial robustness, together with the associated practical challenges. Multidimensional performance enhancement strategies for hydrogels in triboelectric tactile sensing are then systematically summarized. Recent progress in hydrogel‐based triboelectric tactile sensing is presented across emerging application areas, including health monitoring, human‐machine interaction, and soft robot perception. Finally, the remaining challenges and future directions in material design and device integration are outlined, providing guidance for the development of robust, flexible triboelectric tactile sensing systems.