Engineers develop groundbreaking "robot skin"

A new type of soft sensor developed by UBC and Honda researchers has intelligent, stretchable, and highly sensitive properties, with wide application prospects in the fields of robotics and prosthetics.

When applied to the surface of prosthetics or robotic limbs, the sensor skin provides tactile sensitivity and flexibility, enabling machines to perform tasks that are difficult for them, such as picking up soft fruits. The sensor's touch is also soft, similar to human skin, which helps improve the safety and realism of human-machine interaction.

"Our sensor can perceive various types of forces, allowing prosthetics or robotic arms to respond to tactile stimuli in a flexible and precise manner. For example, the arm can easily grip fragile objects such as eggs or glass cups without crushing or dropping them," said Dr. Mirza Saquib Sarwar, a doctoral student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program at UBC's Faculty of Applied Science.

Empowering Machines with Tactile Ability

The sensor is primarily made of silicone rubber, the same material used in many skin special effects in movies. The team's unique design allows it to bend and wrinkle like human skin.

"Our sensor uses a weak electric field to perceive objects, even at a distance, just like a touch screen. But unlike a touch screen, this sensor is flexible and can detect the forces on its surface. This unique combination is key to applying this technology to robots that interact with humans," explained Dr. John Madden, a senior research author and professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UBC.

The UBC team collaborated with Honda's research institution, Frontier Robotics, to develop this technology. Honda has been innovating in the field of humanoid robots since the 1980s and has developed the famous ASIMO robot. In addition, they have also developed walking-assist devices and the emerging Honda Avatar robot.

Practical and Scalable

The researchers stated that this new type of sensor is easy to manufacture and can be produced in large quantities, enabling widespread applications.

Dr. Madden pointed out that sensors and intelligence are making machines more powerful and realistic, allowing people to work and entertain with machines. However, there are still more goals to be achieved.

"The fingertips of the human body have 100 times more sensory points than our technology, making it easier to light a match or sew. As sensors continue to evolve into forms closer to the skin, they can also detect temperature and even damage. Robots will need to become more intelligent in terms of which sensors to focus on and how to respond. The development of sensors and artificial intelligence needs to go hand in hand."