A Light Touch, Thanks to Embedded Optical Sensors

摘要

Optical sensors may be uniquely suited for use in robotic hands, according to Carnegie Mellon Universi-ty (CMU) researchers who have devel-oped a three-fingered soft robotic hand with multiple embedded fiber optic sensors. They also have created a new type of stretchable optical sensor. By using fiber optics, the researchers were able to embed 14 strain sensors into each of the fingers in the robotic hand, giving it the ability to determine where its fingertips are in contact and to detect forces of less than a tenth of a newton. The new stretchable optical sensing material, not incorporated in this version of the hand, potentially could be used in a soft robotic skin to provide even more feedback.