ETH builds skin for collaborative robots
Researchers at ETH Zurich (ETHZ) have developed an intelligent, heat-sensitive robot skin that "senses" when people are in close proximity. The principle goes back to the skin of a snake.
Researchers at ETH Zurich (ETHZ) are working on developing an intelligent skin for robots. It senses when people are in close proximity. It is a flexible, transparent film made from pectin. With its heat receptors, the thin layer resembles snake skin. With this, robots should be able to navigate through crowded areas or locate people during relief operations.
More sensitive than human skin
The robotic skin from Switzerland already detects temperature changes with an intensity of ten milli-Kelvin. This makes it twice as sensitive as human skin. In this way, a body the size of a rabbit can be reliably detected from a distance of just one meter. Changes in temperature cause the resistance of the material used to vary. In this way, electrode displacements can be detected. The robotic skin could be used not only for operational robots but also for prostheses to provide the wearer with sensory feedback.
In contrast to other sensors, an intelligent membrane with a wide temperature spectrum is rather easy to manufacture.
