Robots Are Developing a Humanoid Touch

Daily Technology

·

19/02/2026

ADVERTISEMENT

Robotics has moved beyond sheer strength or rapid motion - the new priority is refined control. A fresh generation of hardware gives machines touch perception that resembles human sensitivity, enabling automated tasks that engineers once deemed impossible. This leap rests on tactile sensors that let robots work with exceptional dexterity.

Advanced 3D-Tactile Sensing

Advanced tactile sensing equips robots with arrays that feel objects in full three dimensions. Flexible elastomer structures inside the arrays register an item's contour and the exact forces pressing against the surface. This feedback forms the basis of “physical AI”, where robots gain a detailed physical picture of their surroundings, a requirement for gentle operations like circuit board assembly or packing fragile items.

ADVERTISEMENT

XELA Robotics, launched from Waseda University, supplies the uSkin sensor line. The modules stream live data on object shape and contact force, allowing robots to treat payloads with human level caution and accuracy. Factories and university labs already apply the hardware to solve demanding manipulation problems.

Comprehensive Sensor Integration

The field is shifting from single point measurements to full surface coverage. Instead of limiting sensors to the fingertip, engineers now embed them along every phalanx and across the palm. The expanded layout delivers a denser data set about the grasped item, granting steadier control that mirrors the way people wrap the whole hand around an object.

ADVERTISEMENT

XELA spreads its uSkin tiles over a large area of the robot hand, abandoning the fingertip only model. The broader tactile field lets automated hands execute intricate grasps and repositioning moves that earlier systems could not complete.

Retrofittable and Platform Agnostic Solutions

Manufacturers design new tactile packages for wide compatibility. Rather than forcing users to buy completely new arms, suppliers offer sensor kits that bolt onto common grippers already in service. This hardware agnostic strategy trims both cost and downtime for companies that want upgraded handling skills.

XELA ships adapters for mainstream hardware from Robotiq, Weiss Robotics besides Wonik Robotics. One example is the slip in uSkin upgrade for the Tesollo DG-5F five finger hand - owners add high resolution touch without discarding their existing investment.

Recommend

Navigating the New iPhone Lineup: iPhone 17, Air, Pro, and Pro Max Explained

Compare the new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Find out which new iPhone model is the best fit for your needs and budget.

ADVERTISEMENT

NVIDIA Unveils Power-Efficient GeForce RTX 5050

NVIDIA expands its GPU lineup with the new GeForce RTX 5050, a power-efficient graphics card designed for both laptops and desktops, bringing advanced RTX features to a wider audience.

Time spent finishing video games rises by 61%: Which are the longest games?

A recent study reveals a 61% increase in the average time required to finish video games, with details on the longest and shortest games and the impact of this on players' experience.

1X and EQT Forge Landmark Alliance for Mass Humanoid Robot Deployment

1X and EQT announce a strategic partnership to deploy up to 10,000 humanoid robots across EQT's global portfolio, aiming to enhance productivity and safety in various industries.

ADVERTISEMENT

Challenges of Deterring Chinese Attacks in Space: A New Report Reveals the Difficulties

A new report reveals the challenges facing the United States in deterring Chinese attacks on space assets and proposes strategies to enhance security in space.

Huawei Unveils Second-Generation Trifold Mate XTs Ahead of Samsung’s Upcoming Foldable

Huawei launches the Mate XTs, its upgraded trifold phone, weeks before Samsung's foldable debut. The new model features stylus support, enhanced multitasking, and the latest Kirin 9020 chip, starting at $2,520.

Apple’s Upcoming AI Wearable: A Look at Potential Market Impact and Technical Features

Apple may launch an AI-enabled wearable, similar in size to AirTag, competing with existing AI pins by focusing on technical integration and performance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Siri Set for AI Overhaul: Apple Eyes Smarter Web Search Next Year

Apple is reportedly planning to launch an AI-powered web search for Siri next year, potentially using Google's Gemini technology and enhancing its competitive standing in the AI race.

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Previous Generations: Camera Bump Design and Usability Analysis

This article compares the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera design to previous models, focusing on technical changes and user impact.

Humanoid Robots Emerge from Stage to Assembly Line in 2026: A Year of "Coming of Age"

Explore how humanoid robots are transitioning from the Spring Festival Gala stage to assembly lines in 2026 marking a significant "coming-of-age" for the technology with advancements in AI, commercialization, and market accessibility.

ADVERTISEMENT