When applied to the surface of a prosthetic or robotic limb, the sensor skin provides touch sensitivity and flexibility, enabling it to accomplish tasks that might be difficult for a machine. The new sensors can sense many types of forces, allowing a prosthetic or robotic arm to respond flexibly and precisely to tactile stimuli. For example, you can hold fragile objects such as eggs or a glass of water.
The sensor is mainly composed of silicone rubber and is uniquely designed to have the ability to bend and wrinkle, just like human skin. It uses a weak electric field to sense objects, like a touch screen, but unlike a touch screen, this sensor is soft and detects forces entering or along its surface.
The new sensor is very simple to manufacture, so it is easy to mass produce. The researchers note that as sensors become more like real skin, they will be able to detect temperature and even damage, and robots will be able to get information from the sensors and respond more intelligently.
