New Electronics - Giving robots a sense of touch

Tactaxis is a fully integrated tactile sensor that is compact, soft and provides the 3D force vector acting on its surface. This will help to improve robots' hands and grippers, making it possible to carry out delicate operations such as fruit picking possible. The technology has been successfully implemented in a functioning prototype. The sensor is accompanied by a magnet which is embedded into an elastomer material. This presents a soft contact interface, emulating the attributes of human skin.