The robotic hand accurately identifies more than 100 materials

The University of South California has developed a touch-sensitive robot that simulates human finger movement but is much more sensitive. It can distinguish more than 100 different materials.

The sensor consists of three main layers: the outermost layer of the epidermis, the thin layer of fluid in the middle, and the hard core of the finger bone. The outer skin has fingerprints of human fingerprints, which help create vibrations as fingers slide across the surface of the material.

These vibrations are then passed through the middle fluid layer to the core and are recorded by acoustic hearing aids. Thus, the sensor system can record different signals of vibration as well as temperature when moving it on the surface of the material.

Testing on 117 types of material from wool, metal to paper ... shows that the robot recognizes exactly 95%. In addition, it is very responsive in distinguishing between samples of materials with high similarity. The team hopes the technology will be used in the manufacture of prosthetic parts.