Making automatons feel better
Coneyl Jay / Getty Images
Your next robot may have skin that can feel.
BeBop Sensors has launched their newRoboSkin lineof skin-like coverings for tactile awareness for humanoid robots and prosthetics.
It’s part of a growing movement to improve robotic skin to give automatons better awareness.
Coneyl Jay / Getty Images
“Tactile sensors have mostly focused on robot fingertips.
Manipulation starts with the fingertips, so that’s where you need the richest sensory information.”
BeBop said its RoboSkin is “flexible, reliable, and highly proprietary.”
Viaframe / Getty Images
Living Skin for Robots
BeBop is among many companies working on more lifelike robotic skin.
Researchers also recently learned to grow humanlike skin on a robotic finger using cells.
The layer provided a uniform foundation for the next coat of cellshuman epidermal keratinocytesto stick to.
The crafted skin could even self-heal like humans' with the help of a collagen bandage.
“But this work is just the first step toward creating robots covered with living skin.”
Manipulation starts with the fingertips, so that’s where you need the richest sensory information.
These devices are rigid and usually only rotate or revolve around one hinge point."
