With its help, they will be able to feel the surrounding objects. This coating is also useful for artificial organsSpecialists of Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have developed a coating that will allow robots to tactilely feel surrounding objects.
It is a flexible thin layer of polymer material with a built-in network of fiber-optic sensors. Sensors convert incoming information into optical signals that can be processed by artificial intelligence. On the surface of the material there is a layer of special villi ("vibriss") that allow you to feel the surrounding objects. Scientists believe that the development will be able to increase the sensitivity of measuring devices with sensor coatings and in the future will be used as a "skin" for humanoid robots, bionic prostheses and artificial organs.
The development of Russian scientists is based on the "mechanoluminescent effect" — the principle of light output under mechanical action on the elements of the system. In case of contact with any object, the villi deform and mechanically affect the sensor. The sensor sections activated as a result send light signals over the fiber-optic network. The technology will make tactile sensations real. In addition, this approach allows you to transmit information over long distances for decryption, scientists say. In their opinion, using such a "skin", the robot will be able to more accurately determine the properties of the object, and therefore calculate the necessary and sufficient force to hold it and for subsequent actions.
