Innovative Smart Fabric Endows Robots with Human-Like Touch for Enhanced Interaction

Scientists at the University at Buffalo have developed an innovative electronic fabric that endows robots with a human-like sense of touch. Published in Nature Communications on July 30, this breakthrough enables robots to detect pressure, slipping, and movement—capabilities akin to human skin. The flexible sensor, based on the tribovoltaic effect, is sewn into robotic fingers to enhance grip precision and responsiveness. This advancement addresses a significant challenge in robotics: handling delicate objects safely. In tests, robots equipped with the fabric sensor quickly adjusted their grip when sensing object slippage, demonstrating potential applications in collaborative manufacturing, robotic surgery, and prosthetics. The sensor's rapid response time—ranging from 0.76 to 38 milliseconds—matches or exceeds human tactile response times. Lead researcher Jun Liu explained that integrating this technology could improve human-robot interactions and expand robots' capabilities in complex tasks. The team also plans to combine the fabric sensor with artificial intelligence, enabling robots to learn and refine their handling skills over time. This development paves the way for more ...