An optical tactile sensor for manipulators

Abstract A touch sensor for robots was designed, built and demonstrated. It is based on a deformable elastic reflective surface and optical fiber technology. The device is relatively immune to electromagnetic noise and may be used in environments where it is important to protect sensitive electronic equipment from such noise. The sensed touch pattern is easily read and interpreted by a computer using current video technology. The design allows for extremely high spatial resolution (2100 sensitive spots per square inch achieved here). Spatial resolution must be traded off with sensor pad thickness to retain adequate sensitivity.