National Geographic News, Reporting Your World Daily

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Robot Revolution: New Material Sensitive as Human Skin


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On the left is an optical image of a U.S. penny, and on the right is the corresponding pressure image from a new type of tactile sensor, which researchers say is as sensitive as human skin.

Someday the material may be applied to robots to give them a delicate sense of touch. Surgeons may use the technology to "feel" for tumors without making a major incision.

Photographs © Science