A firm, but gentle, touch

Abstract

Robotic Sensing Many seemingly simple manual tasks require the ability to detect force direction as well as magnitude. Boutry et al. developed an electronic skin inspired by human skin and nature. Tiny pyramids, similar to hill-like structures in human skin, were arranged in spirals, like the center of a sunflower. These microstructures enabled the sensor array to differentiate pressure applied perpendicularly from pressure applied at an angle—a key feature for dexterity. The pressure information was used to interrupt automatic movement of a robotic arm. The robot was able to touch a fresh raspberry and reverse motion quickly enough to avoid damaging the fruit. Sci. Robot. 3 , eaau6914 (2018).