A New Artificial Tactile System Rivals the Sensitivity of the Human Hand


Release time:

2024-05-21

  Xinhua News, Beijing, May 17 – Swedish researchers have developed a new artificial tactile system capable of quickly identifying the type of object it touches, much like the human hand. This technology holds potential for applications such as aiding stroke patients in functional recovery.

 

  Researchers from Uppsala University and Karolinska Institute in Sweden drew inspiration from neuroscience to develop a neuromorphic tactile artificial skin that mimics the way the human nervous system responds to touch. Their findings were published in the journal Science.

 

  According to the researchers, this artificial tactile system processes dynamic tactile information in a manner similar to the human nervous system. It consists of three main components: an electronic skin embedded with sensors to detect pressure through touch; a set of artificial neurons that convert simulated touch signals into electrical impulses; and a processor that analyzes these signals to identify objects.

 

  In one test, the system was used to grasp 22 different objects and touch 16 different surfaces. The results showed that the system could quickly and accurately distinguish between different objects.

 

  The researchers noted that this system could enhance the performance of prosthetics and other robotic systems. In the future, it could be used to monitor motor dysfunction caused by Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases or help stroke patients recover lost functions. They also plan to continue developing the system to enable it to sense pain and temperature.

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