The introduction of more accurate pressure sensors, which provide haptic feedback and distributed touch, will help robots to improve their dexterity and motor skills.
“Over recent years the advancements in the robotics industry have been remarkable. However, due to a lack of sensory capabilities, robotic systems often fail to execute certain tasks easily. For robots to reach their full potential, accurate pressure sensors, capable of providing greater tactile ability, are required,” said professor Des Gibson, project principal investigator.
Made from 3D graphene foam, which offers unique capabilities when put under mechanical stress, the sensors use a piezoresistive approach, meaning when the material is put under pressure it dynamically changes its electric resistance, easily detecting and adapting to the range of pressure required, from light to heavy.
Marco Caffio, co-founder at Integrated Graphene, said: “Our novel 3D graphene foam has the capability...