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Sensitive "skin" for robots? Yes, this is reality!
Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC), in collaboration with the Honda Research Institute, have developed a new soft sensor that is smart, stretchable and highly sensitive. This opens the door to a wide range of applications in robotics and prosthetics.
When applied to the surface of a prosthetic or robotic arm, the sensor provides touch sensitivity and dexterity, allowing you to perform tasks such as lifting soft fruit. The sensor is also soft to the touch, like human skin, which makes interaction with people safer and more realistic.
"Our sensor can sense multiple types of forces, allowing a prosthetic or robotic arm to respond to tactile stimuli with agility and precision. For example, the hand can hold fragile objects such as an egg or a glass of water without crushing or dropping them," said study author Dr. Mirza Saqib Sarwar.
The sensor is mainly made of silicone rubber, the same material used to create many special effects in movies. The team's unique design allows it to bend and wrinkle like human skin.
"Our sensor uses weak electric fields to detect objects, even from a distance, just like touchscreens do. But unlike touchscreens, this sensor is resilient and can detect forces inside and along its surface," explained Dr. John Madden, senior author of the study.
The UBC team developed the technology in collaboration with Frontier Robotics, a Honda research institute. Honda has been innovating in humanoid robotics since the 1980s.
The researchers claim that the new sensor is easy to manufacture, making it easily scalable for covering large surfaces and manufacturing in large quantities.
Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC), in collaboration with the Honda Research Institute, have developed a new soft sensor that is smart, stretchable and highly sensitive. This opens the door to a wide range of applications in robotics and prosthetics.
When applied to the surface of a prosthetic or robotic arm, the sensor provides touch sensitivity and dexterity, allowing you to perform tasks such as lifting soft fruit. The sensor is also soft to the touch, like human skin, which makes interaction with people safer and more realistic.
"Our sensor can sense multiple types of forces, allowing a prosthetic or robotic arm to respond to tactile stimuli with agility and precision. For example, the hand can hold fragile objects such as an egg or a glass of water without crushing or dropping them," said study author Dr. Mirza Saqib Sarwar.
The sensor is mainly made of silicone rubber, the same material used to create many special effects in movies. The team's unique design allows it to bend and wrinkle like human skin.
"Our sensor uses weak electric fields to detect objects, even from a distance, just like touchscreens do. But unlike touchscreens, this sensor is resilient and can detect forces inside and along its surface," explained Dr. John Madden, senior author of the study.
The UBC team developed the technology in collaboration with Frontier Robotics, a Honda research institute. Honda has been innovating in humanoid robotics since the 1980s.
The researchers claim that the new sensor is easy to manufacture, making it easily scalable for covering large surfaces and manufacturing in large quantities.
