In context
In early 2024, soft robotics was transitioning from lab prototypes toward practical applications in unstructured environments, where traditional rigid robots struggle. The integration of sensing and control remained a key bottleneck, prompting researchers to explore flexible sensors that could conform to soft structures and enable safer human-robot interaction.
What was reported
Researchers at Beihang University published a comprehensive review in the journal Robot (Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 195-218) summarizing recent progress in soft robot interaction based on flexible sensing. The review covers applications in flexible grasping, biomedicine, and environmental exploration, and details kinematic and dynamic modeling methods for soft robots.
The authors analyze flexible sensing technologies applicable to soft robots, with emphasis on multimodal sensing that integrates tactile, temperature, and humidity perception. They discuss how flexible sensors enable intrinsic (self) and environmental perception, and highlight intelligent interaction systems that use these sensors for adaptive control.
Examples include soft grippers that safely handle fragile objects, medical robots for rehabilitation and minimally invasive surgery, and micro-robots for targeted drug delivery. The review notes that while flexible sensors have improved in capability and lowered in cost, challenges remain in manufacturing high-performance multimodal sensors, fusing multimodal data, and enhancing intelligent control for natural interaction.
Why it mattered
This review underscored a shift toward soft robots that can safely collaborate with humans and operate in complex environments, driven by advances in flexible sensing and AI. It pointed to the need for integrated actuation-sensing-control systems, which is critical for industrial automation applications where adaptability and safety are paramount.
"Soft robots, with their flexible structures and excellent deformation capabilities, are more suitable for completing operations in unknown and unstructured environments."
Source: 《机器人》期刊 (robot.sia.cn) · Published 2024-03-27 · “基于柔性传感的软体机器人交互研究进展”