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Flexible tactile sensor lets robots feel

Using silicon and carbon materials, researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a tactile sensor that can act as skin for robots, which can absorb shock and distinguish various forms of touch. Current robotic sensory technology allows robots to have visual and auditory systems at nearly similar levels to human capacity, but there are limitations in tactile sensors that can detect changes in the environment throughout the body. To apply skin with similar functions as humans to robots, it is essential to develop skin sensor technology with high flexibility and high shock absorption. Another limitation for developing robot skin was connecting numerous sensors all over the body using electric wiring. To overcome this problem, the research team led by Professors Jung Kim and Inkyu Park from the Department of Mechanical Engineering combined silicon and carbon nanotubes (CNT) to produce a composite, which was then used in combination with a medical imaging technique called electrical impedance tomography (EIT).”

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