Vision-Based Tactile Sensor Helps Streamline Robotics

Jan. 10, 2024

FingerVision’s tactile sensors for robotic grippers utilize machine vision to pick up fragile and deformable objects.

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Check out Electronic Design's coverage of CES 2024.

At CES, Electronic Design talked with Japan-based FingerVision CEO Yuji Nono about his company’s approach to tactile sensors. Inside the gripper lives an optical-based tactile sensor with signal-processing algorithms.

This sensor is composed of soft skin with an embedded marker array attached to rigid frame, and a web camera with a fisheye lens is housed inside. The processing unit can detect the array when it moves due to pressure, enabling the robot to adjust and maintain the shape of the object. The sensor tracks force distribution (the pressure on the array) as well as slip distribution (object movement detection).

FingerVision currently offers three formats, rather than a version specialized for a specific industry or task.

About the Author

Marie Darty | Group Multimedia Director, Engineering & Manufacturing

Marie Darty is a digital media professional currently serving as the Group Multimedia Director for the Manufacturing & Engineering Group at Endeavor Business Media. A graduate of Jacksonville State University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Digital Communication with a concentration in Digital Journalism in December 2016. In her current role, she leads the strategy and production of multimedia content, overseeing video series planning and editing. Additionally, she oversees podcast production and marketing of multimedia content.