Robots will need sensory skins to safely interact with humans and navigate more complex environments than factory work cells. This invention is a new stretchable pneumatic sensor skin that can feel its surroundings and reach for objects in constrained environments.
Stanford engineers have prototyped and tested a flexible, soft growing robot that can deploy sensor networks for investigation in constrained spaces (see video below). Existing sensors for growing robots have focused on moving with the tip of the robot.
Stanford researchers in the Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Lab have patented a low cost, high performance multi-axis capacitive tactile sensor that measures all six components of force and torque.
Engineers in Prof. Mark Cutkosky's laboratory have patented a compact, intuitive, haptic vehicle feedback system that communicates multi-dimensional information to drivers through the grip of the steering wheel.