Humans can recognize an item by lightly swiping their fingers across its surface and collecting both static pressure and high-frequency vibrations. Previous methods of developing artificial tactile sensors for perceiving physical inputs such as pressure have been restricted in their capacity to recognize real-world items upon touch or have required several sensors.
Researchers have now developed an artificial sensory system that can detect tiny textures such as twill, corduroy, and wool with excellent resolution, akin to a human finger. The discoveries by a team of scientists at Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China, may pave the way to improve the fine tactile sense skills of robots and human limb prostheses and could be used in virtual reality.
More information: