Communications of the ACM
Scientists Develop Sensitive Skin for Robots
The Bioloid Robot has 31 hexagonal sensor modules distributed throughout its body. Similar to human skin, the sensor modules measure, temperature, touch, and speed.
Photo courtesy of Heddergott/TUM
Technical University of Munich (TUM) researchers are developing a sensitive skin for robots that will provide tactile information, adding to their existing perception capabilities provided by camera eyes, infrared scanners, and gripping hands.
The researchers say the technology enables robot self-perception and will make it easier for robots to navigate their environments. The sensitive skin consists of five square centimeter hexagonal circuit boards, each of which contains four infrared sensors that detect anything closer than one centimeter, simulating the light touch sensation of human skin.
The circuit boards also are equipped with six temperature sensors and an accelerometer, which enables the robot to accurately register the movements of its limbs. Also, it is easy to later expand the circuit boards to include other sensors, says TUM's Philip Mittendorfer. The signals from the sensors are processed by a central computer, which enables each sensory module to distribute its own information and serve as a data hub for different sensory components.
The researchers say the sensitive skin technology could lead to other fundamental biological capabilities in robotic systems.
From Technische Universitaet Muenchen
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