| 3:58:57 PM - Sun, Aug 8th 2021 |
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Researchers in Singapore have SLOTXO developed an electronic material that allows the robotic hand to sense touch and nearby objects.
Such material is a type of foam. It is a solid, air-filled, soft substance. And this foam has another useful feature that it can repair itself when damaged. like human skin
The material is called AiFoam, which stands for artificially innervated foam. AiFoam in the robot's hand collects data from nearby areas and transmits it to the computer that controls the robot.
AiFoam is a flexible polymer based compound that reduces surface tension. This means that if this material is cut or torn. Such materials can then be reunited easily.
Benjamin Tee, lead researcher on the new material at the National University of Singapore, said the material has many uses. especially in robotics and for prosthetic devices. Robots need to be much smarter when working with humans.
to imitate the senses of human touch Researchers have mixed very tiny metals. into such material A very small electrical connection point was then added under the surface of the foam, which is used as the skin of the robot hand.
Tee said that when there is pressure on the surface of the material The metal particles in the material get closer together, and this motion changes their electrical properties. The electrical connection point senses these changes and sends the information to the computer. which will issue commands telling the robot what to do He gave an example when he moved his finger closer to the sensor. You can see that the sensor measures the change in the electric field and responds to that touch.
In addition, the robotic hand made of this special material not only senses the amount of contact force but also perceives the direction of the force applied to the hand This could make the robot smarter and more responsive.
Tee also said AiFoam was the first material to combine self-healing properties with proximity and pressure perception. And after more than two years developing the material, Tee and his research team expect the material to be available within five years. and hope this smart material will help Prosthetic users can use a robotic arm that responds to various situations. close to real organs
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