Robots Get Touchy-feely

Assembly equipment has featured proximity sensors for many years to judge when two parts are close together and ready for assembly. In recent years, machine vision and image processing software has enabled more complex automated assembly operations. However, for some applications where the parts are hidden or proximity sensors won't work, new force and tactile sensors are helping robots to feel their way, giving them the human-like ability to sense temperature, pressure, and humidity. The sensitivity enables robots to handle delicate items like baked goods as well as assemble complex components.

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