This week researchers at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering have published a study in Frontiers in Neurorobotics, explaining that specially designed robots can be taught to feel with the sense of touch with even more accuracy than humans.
Its hoped the new technology can be used to help advance prostheses, personal assistive robots and consumer product testing. The new tactile sensor has been designed to mimic the human finger, and is even equipped with fingerprints that enhance the sensor’s sensitivity to vibration.
Innovative Design of the BioTac Sensor
The finger-sized BioTac sensor is made up of a soft, flexible skin cover, with a liquid filling. As the sensor slides over a surface it is able to vibrate in characteristic ways. These vibrations are then detected via a hydrophone microphone located within the sensor’s bone-like core. Hydrophone microphones were originally designed to be used underwater, making them highly sensitive to subtle vibrations and changes in pressure.
The BioTac sensor’s design is inspired by the intricate structure of the human fingertip. The flexible skin cover allows the sensor to conform to various shapes and textures, while the liquid filling helps to transmit vibrations more effectively. This combination of features enables the BioTac sensor to detect even the slightest variations in surface texture, making it highly accurate in identifying different materials.
Applications and Future Potential
The latest BioTac sensor can currently correctly identify a randomly selected material from a sample range of 117 common materials, 95 percent of the time. This level of accuracy is unprecedented and opens up a wide range of potential applications for the technology. For instance, in the field of prosthetics, the BioTac sensor could be used to create more advanced and responsive artificial limbs that provide users with a sense of touch similar to that of a natural limb.
In addition to prosthetics, the BioTac sensor could also be used in personal assistive robots. These robots could help individuals with disabilities perform everyday tasks by providing them with a sense of touch, allowing them to interact with their environment more effectively. For example, a robot equipped with BioTac sensors could help a visually impaired person identify objects by touch, or assist someone with limited mobility in handling delicate items.
Consumer product testing is another area where the BioTac sensor could have a significant impact. The sensor’s ability to accurately identify different materials could be used to test the quality and consistency of products, ensuring that they meet high standards of performance and durability. This could be particularly useful in industries such as textiles, where the feel of a fabric is an important factor in determining its quality.
More information on the new technology is available from the Neuroscience website.
The development of the BioTac sensor represents a significant advancement in the field of neurorobotics. By mimicking the human sense of touch, researchers are paving the way for a new generation of robots that can interact with their environment in more sophisticated and human-like ways. This technology has the potential to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, enhance the capabilities of assistive robots, and ensure the quality of consumer products.
As research continues, it is likely that the BioTac sensor will become even more refined and capable, leading to new and exciting applications in various fields. The future of tactile sensing technology looks promising, and the work being done at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering is at the forefront of this exciting development.
Source: Gizmag
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.