A team of Scottish researchers has developed an advanced pressure sensor technology that could help improve robotic systems, such as for robotic prosthetics and robotic arms, according to a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Advanced Engineering Materials.
A team of researchers led by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), Integrated Graphene Ltd. is working on a pioneering project on advanced sensors for robotic systems, aiming to develop precise pressure sensors that provide haptic feedback and distributed touch to enhance the capabilities of robots and help improve their dexterity and motor skills.
Professor Des Gibson, director of the UWS Institute for Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging and principal investigator on the project, said, “The robotics industry has made impressive advances in recent years, however, robotic systems are often unable to perform certain tasks easily due to a lack of sensory capabilities. In order for robots to reach their full potential, precise pressure sensors that provide greater haptic capabilities are needed.”
The new sensor, made of 3D graphene foam called GII, has unique properties under mechanical pressure. The sensor uses a piezoresistive approach, which means that when the material is subjected to pressure, it dynamically changes its resistance, easily detecting and adapting to the desired range of pressure from light to heavy.
The GII is described as being able to mimic the sensitivity and feedback of human touch, a property that makes it suitable for a variety of applications such as disease diagnosis and energy storage. This could revolutionize a range of real-world applications for robots, from surgery to precision manufacturing.
Dr. Carlos Garcia-Nunes of the UWS School of Computational Engineering and Physical Sciences added that pressure sensors are critical components in robotics and wearable electronics, whether they provide information input systems or give robotic systems human-like motor skills. Advanced materials like 3D graphene foam have great potential for such applications due to their excellent electrical, mechanical and chemical properties.
In the next phase, the research team will seek to further improve the sensitivity of the sensors to enable their wider application in robotic systems.
