Touchence introduces Shokkaku Cube, a soft and flexible touch sensor that is to be utilized with robots.
Shokkaku Cube demonstrated in a robot shoe
The touch sensor is a venture by the Tokyo University. The cube is covered with a soft foam and is capable of detecting three dimensional changes. The sensor is capable of changing its shape and therefore is able to sense different types of touch like pinching, rubbing or pushing. The touching of humans with a robot will not anymore be hard and metallic. The exterior of the robot will also be designed soft and the underlying sensors will also be soft. Hence the touch of the robot wioll be soft and you will not feel the presence of a sensor.
World's First Soft, Flexible Touch Sensor For Robots #DigInfo
The demonstration shows the simulation of a robots foot, where three sensors were implanted in the foot-sole. These sensors were able to measure the amount of pressure which was being exerted when the robot moved. Researchers claimed that the sensor could be fitted to any part of the body. The sensors function based on an optical principle. The light is received from the bottom and the receivers at the upper portion sense the light intensity. A total of five sensors are present, hence, five signal output data is received. The data is combined to calculate the amount of pressure being exerted thus determining which portion has been touched.
The Shokkaku Cube is the second version that the makers have designed. The basic model was released in December 2010, after which changes were made to improve the power efficiency and durability. Touchence intends to release the final version in September 2011.
Source; http://www.touchence.jp/en/