PPS Finger TPS II

PPS FingerTPS II – Finger Force and Pressure Measurement System

PPS FingerTPS II is a portable, finger-mounted measurement system designed to record grip force, touch, and contact forces exerted by the fingers and hand during real-world activities.
The system utilizes capacitive pressure sensors, characterized by high sensitivity, repeatability, and measurement stability.
The sensors are applied directly to the fingers, allowing measurements to be taken at the point of actual contact between the finger and the object being tested.
The sensor design is thin, lightweight, and flexible, limiting the impact of the measurement system on natural grasping and manipulation.
FingerTPS II enables force measurement during gripping, squeezing, pressing, operating tools, devices, controls, and performing precise manual tasks.
The FingerTPS sensors are connected to a module located on the wrist via thin cables.
Data is transmitted wirelessly between the measurement module and the computer via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The maximum declared Bluetooth communication range is 5 m.
The system can operate in a single- or two-handed configuration.
Two wrist units can be connected simultaneously to conduct bimanual activity studies.
The wrist unit allows for the connection of up to 6 sensors.
The system works with PPS Chameleon Tactile Visualization and Recording (TVR) software, which visualizes, records, and analyzes measurement data.
The software automatically recognizes the configuration of the connected sensors.
Sensor calibration is performed using the supplied Reference Load Cell.

Technical Specifications

Measurement technology: Capacitive force sensors.
Maximum force measurement range: 2 kg.
Minimum measurement sensitivity according to the current brochure: 0.04 N.
Sensitivity: 0.1%.
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 500:1.
Gain Non-Repeatability: <3% according to the current brochure.
Linearity: >98% according to the current brochure.
Sensor thickness: approximately 2 mm according to the current brochure.
System/component weight as specified by the manufacturer: 55 g.
Scanning frequency: 25–40 Hz.
Communication: Bluetooth Low Energy – BLE.
Maximum communication range: 5 m.
Battery capacity: 250 mAh.
Voltage: 3.7 V.
Battery operating time: over 2 hours. Estimated full charging time: approximately 2 hours.
Operating temperature: 5–40°C.
Storage temperature: above 3°C and below 60°C.
Recommended operating humidity: above 30% and below 50%.
Maximum operating altitude: below 2000 m above sea level.
Environmental pollution degree: Pollution Degree 2.
The sensors are not waterproof.
The manufacturer recommends using them in a dry environment.
The sensors should be cleaned dry, without using chemicals.
The sensors are not cut-resistant and are not intended for contact with hot elements or open flames.
The system complies with the manufacturer's standards EN 61010-1 and IEC 60417-5031.

Sensor Models and Sizes
FingerTPS II is a single, configurable measurement system – the manufacturer does not divide it into several separate device models.
The system can be configured by selecting sensors appropriate for individual fingers.
The standard FingerTPS II kit includes two FingerTPS sensors of your choice.
Additional sensors can be purchased separately.
Sensors are available for the thumb, fingers, and hand pressure measurement.
The manufacturer offers finger sensors in sizes: XS, S, M, and L.
Dedicated sizes for the thumb are: TS – Thumb Small, TM – Thumb Medium, and TL – Thumb Large.
Recommended size for small hands: thumb TS, index finger S, middle finger M, ring finger S, small finger XS. Recommended size for a medium-sized hand: thumb TM, index finger M, middle finger L, ring finger M, pinky finger S.
Recommended size for a large hand: thumb TL, index finger L, middle finger L, ring finger L, pinky finger M.
The same properly sized sensor can be used on either the right or left hand.
The manufacturer recommends against using a sensor that is too small on a larger finger, as stretching the material can damage the sensor.
Using a sensor that is too large can reduce measurement accuracy.

Standard Kit Components
2 × FingerTPS sensors of your choice.
Wrist Module.
BLE communication module.
Bluetooth USB adapter/dongle for your computer.
Calibration and Reference Load Cell – reference sensor used during calibration.
USB charging cable.
Webcam used to synchronize images with measurements – according to the current manufacturer's brochure.
PPS Chameleon software.
Protective case/case for storing the system.

Software Required for Operation
The basic software compatible with the FingerTPS II is PPS Chameleon.
The current generation of the software is Chameleon 2026.
The software communicates with the FingerTPS II via the included Bluetooth USB adapter.
Chameleon Core is included with all PPS measurement systems, including the FingerTPS II.
Chameleon Core enables live data viewing.
It enables basic analysis of average, minimum, and maximum values.
It enables data visualization in the form of maps and graphs. 2D and 3D visualization is available.
The program allows simultaneous connection to multiple PPS systems.
FingerTPS can be reconfigured and recalibrated depending on the type of measurement being performed.
For more advanced applications, the paid Chameleon Premium version is available.
Chameleon Premium allows you to save TVR measurement sessions for later analysis.
Premium offers advanced analysis, including contact area, force, peak values, and centroid/center of pressure.
Premium enables advanced data export, including to CSV.
Data can be used in external environments such as Microsoft Excel, MATLAB, and Python.
Premium allows synchronization of measurement data with video.
A Windows API is available for integrating FingerTPS with your own software.
The manufacturer does not currently provide a clear minimum Windows version or full specifications of minimum computer hardware requirements on the FingerTPS II public website. Therefore, such parameters should not be entered without additional confirmation from PPS. To physically connect the system, a PC with an available USB port for the supplied BLE adapter is required.

Key Advantages
Force measurement directly at the point of contact between the finger and the object.
Measurements can be taken during natural hand movements.
Minimal influence of the sensors on natural grip mechanics.
Thin, lightweight, and flexible sensors.
High sensor sensitivity.
High measurement repeatability.
Stable capacitive measurement technology.
Measurements can also be taken on curved surfaces.
Measurement of dynamic force changes during movement.
Wireless communication between the user and the computer.
No cable connecting the subject directly to the computer.
Ability to select the number and size of sensors for a specific experiment.
Ability to test one or both hands.
Ability to connect up to 6 sensors to the wrist module.
Simple calibration using the provided reference sensor.
Automatic recognition of sensor configurations by Chameleon.
Real-time results visualization.
Ability to synchronize results with video recordings.
Ability to export data for further analysis.
Available APIs for integrating the system with your own research applications. Sensors available in several sizes enable proper fit to the user's hand.

Purpose:
Grip strength testing,
Finger pressure analysis,
Grip profiling,
Finger contact analysis,
Ergonomic research,
Human factors research,
Ergonomic product design,
Hand tool design,
Design of devices and controls,
Industrial and consumer product testing,
Ergonomic keyboard design,
Human-machine touchscreen interface research,
Rehabilitation,
Occupational therapy,
Physiological research,
Musculoskeletal system research,
Hand load analysis during work,
Employee safety assessment,
Occupational medicine research,
Hand movement and function analysis,
Biomechanics,
Sports performance analysis,
Sports grip technique research,
Precision manual activity analysis,
Surgical and manual skills research,
Medical device development,
Hand exoskeletons research,
Robotics and haptic systems research,
Development of products requiring real-world force analysis exerted by the fingers and palm.

Important limitations
FingerTPS II measures pressure primarily at selected finger points – it is not a system for full mapping of the entire palm surface.
The manufacturer offers the PPS TactileGlove II system to measure pressure distribution across the entire palm.
The FingerTPS measuring elements are located at the bottom of the sensor on the fingertip; there are no measuring elements on the back of the finger.
The sensors are not waterproof.
The system is not intended for use in contact with fire, hot objects, or as a protective glove.
To maintain proper measurement accuracy, it is important to select the correct sensor size for the user's finger.