EN
IT

Tactile sensor emulates the human sense of touch in sensing and locating a pressure over a large surface, reproducing human mechanoreceptors activity. The current patent includes the sensor manufacturing process, a robotic arm coated by this sensor, and a method for its operation.

Innovative for its lightness and adaptability to large curved surfaces, it can cover robotic prostheses and / or collaborative robotic arms, as an artificial skin.

Patent Status

PENDING

Priority Number

102019000003657

Priority Date

13/03/2019

License

INTERNATIONAL

Problem

The enabling technologies to make a robot qualitative leap to collaborative robotics are very important.Having a robot that is not collaborative enough to work closely with humans in complete safety is the real problem.key technology hardware to make a collaborative robot are enclosed in sensors that provide the machine with as much information as possible.There are many emerging technologies in this regard, as well as many strands of thought for the implementation of such sensors. The problems remain those of the more generic sensors as well as the management of them: reliability, compactness, resolution, drifting, etc. … to get to the cost-effectiveness of purchase, management and maintenance.

Current Technology Limits

Modern robots show increased mobility and flexibility compared to traditional robots; additionally they are equipped with sensors. However, the tactile sensors available are unable to cover large curved surfaces, and do not provide adequate sensitivity. The present device overcomes these limitations: it can cover any type of surface (even large curved surfaces), and it detects contact point and pressure when a force is applied.

Killer Application

The tactile sensor enables the robotic prosthetic coating and mechanical limbs coating for collaborative robots. The system is flexible thanks to the use of a neural network methodology, overcoming the limitations of wiring.

Our Technology and Solutions

The tactile sensor is composed of a silicone rubber casing containing an optical fiber that connects, in a continuous path, a plurality of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors.

The casing, less than 10 mm thick, deforms under the action of a force applied to its surface, transmitting a corresponding stress to the FBG sensors which is translated into an optical signal, transported by the optical fiber. Compared to the tactile sensors developed so far, this receptor mimics the human sense of touch in terms of flexibility, deformation and sensitivity in perceiving and locating pressure over a large area, even curved, up to 90 cm2. The biorobotic device can be used to coat robotic prostheses, including industrial or assistive collaborative robots, and connected to neuronal networks. The use of FBG sensors guarantees an easy manufacturing process with a repeatable result.

Advantages

The tactile sensor is light and flexible, adaptable to any type of surface covering large curved areas. The main advantage is represented by the perceptive sensitivity – ability to determine pressure and point of contact for an applied force.

The use of FBG sensors simplifies the manufacturing process, and increases repeatability.

Roadmap

The invention has been implemented on a robotic arm, fully designed by the research group, but it can be easily integrated on industrial robots with the aim to add sensorial capability.

  • 3 months: real-time demonstration of the force measurement and of the contact point location
  • 6 months: demonstration of multi-touch capability
  • 9 months: integration and demonstration using a commercial industrial robotic arm
  • 12 months: technology ready for pre-market certification
Review the Technology
TRL 1
TRL 1
Basic Principles
Basic principles tested
TRL 2
TRL 2
Formulation
Technology concept formulated
TRL 3
TRL 3
Proof of concept
Experimental proof of concept
TRL 4
TRL 4
Laboratory Prototype
Technology validated in lab
TRL 5
TRL 5
Prototype tested on pilot-scale/large-scale
Technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 6
TRL 6
Commercial prototype
Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 7
TRL 7
Real world validation
System prototype demonstration in operational/real-world environment
TRL 8
TRL 8
First complete and commercial product
System complete and qualified
TRL 9
TRL 9
Full commercial application
Actual system proven in commercial environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space)

TRL

Team

SEE THE PATENT ON KNOWLEDGE SHARE
Menu