| Connect to share and comment |
Alexander BesantJune 19, 2012 18:59
Robot finger more sensitive than human skin
The developers at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering have created a fingertip sensor that can outsmart humans in identifying textures.
The developers at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering have created a fingertip sensor that can outsmart humans in identifying textures.
Enlarge
Scientists at the University of Southern California have created a robotic finger that is more sensitive than human fingers to texture. (USC/Courtesy)
Scientists have created a robot finger with "skin" that is even more sensitive than that of humans.
The developers at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering have created a fingertip sensor that can outsmart humans in identifying textures.
Gizmag said that the invention called BioTac may offer new advances in the creation of prostheses.
The researchers put the finger to task by instructing it to identify 117 diferent types of materials.
The robot was able to have a 99.6 percent accuracy - likely far more than humans, said PC World.
Read more on GlobalPost: Swiss scientists create a mind-controlled robot
The BioTac sensor not only can identify textures but also can sense temperature.
The robot even has fingerprints which makes it sensitive to vibration, reported TG Daily.
The vibrations help the internal sensor understand what the finger is prodding.
UPI reported that the finger can even identify where and in which direction force is applied.
The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Neurobotics.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/science/120619/robot-finger-more-sensitive-human-skin
.
-
Photo
Jaume Plensa's "Tel Aviv Man" at Art Basel, the world’s premier trade fair for leading galleries and collectors focused on modern and contemporary art.
- [/] -
Photo
The front of the Art Basel building. This year’s show attracted 303 of the world’s top galleries from 36 countries, showing the works of more than 2,500 artists. It drew more than 62,000 visitors, a new record.
- [/] -
Photo
Platform Gallery's Chen Wei and one of his "Recovery Room" series at Liste Young Artist's show. By the time the week was over he had sold more than 10 works, with prices ranging from $1,800 to nearly $3,000.
- [/] -
Photo
A performance spectator admires some of the pieces at Basel Art.
- [/] -
Photo
A performance piece at Basel Scope, done by an unidentified nearly naked man who moved in slow motion up and down the aisles dressed like a Greek version of Mars, the god of war.
- [/] -
Photo
A performance piece at Scope. The man clutched a staff, on which a plastic container for motor oil with the BP logo was impaled.
- [/] -
Photo
An installation piece at Basel Art.
- [/] -
Photo
An installation piece with paper tubes at Basel Art.
- [/] -
Photo
A gallery scene at the Scope Basel show.
- [/] -
Photo
A sculpture of Sperone Westwater Gallery's employee, Michael Short, by Evan Penny.
- [/] -
Photo
Evan Penny's sculpture of Michael Short.
- [/] -
Photo
A woman views Jaume Plensa's "Tel Aviv Man," (Study) 2010, Galerie Lelong, Paris.
- [/] -
Photo
"Medusa marinara," 1997 — a photographic representation of the Medusa in spaghetti and tomato sauce by New York-based Brazilian artist, Vic Muniz.
- [/] -
Photo
Children play around Ai Weiwei's piece, "Field," 2010.
- [/] -
Photo
Heimo Sobernig's "Black Cube" sits on display outside outside.
- [/] -
Photo
A piece by Yayoi Kusama titled "Pumkin."
- [/]
Follow us: