December 9, 2024
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Tactile perception method uses structural color for precision
A team led by Prof. Dong Erbao from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), collaborating with Prof. Yu Xinge from the City University of Hong Kong, developed a novel tactile perception method based on flexible grating structural color. The work was published in National Science Review.
Vision-based tactile sensors (VTSs) play a crucial role in allowing robots to perform complex and precise operations. However, existing VTSs primarily rely on geometric optics or marker tracking technology, which severely limits their resolution and accuracy in force-position recognition.
To address these challenges, the team proposed a novel design inspired by the structural color of Morpho butterfly wings. They utilized the structural color patterns formed by the flexible grating films under LED white light illumination to represent tactile information. To better estimate the single-point contacts from structural color images, they employed deep learning algorithms to enhance information decoding and optimize dataset configurations.
This new VTS design, called IrisTact, achieved high spatial resolution and force accuracy at contact points, significantly improving the overall performance of tactile recognition. IrisTact fully exploits the rich tactile information contained in the structural color patterns, surpassing current VTS in terms of spatial resolution for contact point localization and accuracy of force recognition.
Furthermore, this new method demonstrates broad applicability. Leveraging the modular design of core components, the team further developed sensor prototypes for three typical application scenarios: low-frequency vibration detection, whisker sensing, and 3D contact perception.
With an additional end-effector transmitting vibration to the film, the vibration sensor can measure subtle low-frequency vibration signals based on the elasticity of the film. The bionic whisker sensor, featuring a rigid-flexible coupling whisker, can detect pulse frequency and airflow disturbances. The flexible grating film can be independently used in endoscopic systems to enable circular 3D contact perception.
IrisTact provides a new pathway for intelligent sensing, exhibiting great application potential in fields such as robotic perception, environment monitoring and medical devices.
More information: Yuze Qiu et al, A tactile perception method with flexible grating structural color, National Science Review (2024). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae413
Provided by University of Science and Technology of China Citation: Tactile perception method uses structural color for precision (2024, December 9) retrieved 10 December 2024 from https://techxplore.com/news/2024-12-tactile-perception-method-precision.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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