Electronic Sensor Rivals Sensitivity of Human Skin

ananyo writes "A flexible electronic sensor made from interlocking hairs can detect the gentle steps of a ladybird and distinguish between shear and twisting forces. The sensor consists of two interlocking sheets of nanofibres. When the sensor sheet is pressed, twisted or brushed, the squishy, metal-coated hairs change position, generating changes in the sensor's electrical resistance (abstract). Such subtle tactile input would be very useful for robots designed to interact with people, says Matei Ciocarlie, a scientist at robotics company Willow Garage. 'Skin has been an overlooked part of robotics,' says Ciocarlie, because it poses such a challenging problem: in addition to being robust, sensitive and flexible, it needs to be made in very large sheets."

Comments

Just what we need...

[i kan reed]

Maybe now, at the airport, we can get a robot to feel my junk instead.

Re:Just what we need...

[Thundaaa Struk]

Can American Airlines have a queue for it's Executive Platinum members where they can get felt up by a robot with Asian women sized hands? It's the little things that count....right?

Re:Very nice

[Ukab the Great]

A replaceable rubber sheath will decrease the sensitivity, and irresponsible robots in the heat of lifting boxes might forget to put it on in spite of the protection it provides.