Robots to Get Artificial Skin?

Robots may soon be able to "feel" their surroundings once a tactile sensor system is applied to them like an artificial skin.

Designed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg, the sensor system consists of conductive foam, textiles and an intelligent evaluation circuit that detects points of contact and differentiates between gentle and strong contact. The more sensor cells, the more precisely a point of contact can be detected.

This technology ensures safer contact with humans and objects for future applications.