Researchers from Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with colleagues from Northwestern University (USA), have developed a new type of artificial skin for robots that significantly enhances their tactile sensitivity, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing Advanced Electronic Materials.
This innovation is based on the use of elastomers enriched with carbon nanotubes, which change their electrical resistance under mechanical stress. This allows the system to accurately detect pressure and stretching.
Previous attempts to create similar artificial skin encountered an issue where a thin insulating layer formed on the surface of the material, blocking electrical contact and reducing sensitivity. In the new study, the scientists discovered a way to eliminate this layer, significantly improving the skin’s sensory properties.
The development has potential applications in various fields of robotics, particularly in areas requiring a high degree of tactile sensitivity, such as healthcare, customer service, and human-machine interaction.
Earlier we wrote that Elon Musk announces device to restore vision.