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Robot reproduces the softness of materials

#material science #research #robot #switzerland

A new robot can precisely mimic the softness of various materials. In future, medical students could use it to practise detecting malignant tumours or researchers could feel the softness of an object in space.

According to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), the digital transfer of softness has successfully overcome a deceptively complex challenge. After all, how soft a material feels depends on several different processes.

"If you press a marshmallow with your fingertip, it's easy to recognise that it's soft. However, if you place a hard biscuit on top of that marshmallow and press again, you can still see that the soft marshmallow is underneath, even though your fingertip is touching a hard surface," explained EPFL PhD student Mustafa Mete.

Beef and a beating heart

There are therefore two elements that are decisive for the softness: How the material feels on the skin of the fingertips, and the force it takes in the finger joint to compress it.

For the development of the robot called Sori (Softness Rendering Interface), the research team led by researcher Jamie Paik separated these two elements. They described this procedure in a study published in the journal "Proceedings" of the US Academy of Sciences (Pnas).

According to the researchers, this enabled them to faithfully recreate the softness of a whole range of materials. From beef, salmon and marshmallows to the leather cover of a book and a beating heart.

Written by: sda

Photos: EPFL/Jamani Caillet

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With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) a research team at the University Children's Hospital in Zurich has defined new criteria for the diagnosis of blood poisoning. This could improve the early detection of this dangerous disease.
March 10th, 2024
plastic waste in a garbage bin

Microplastics could promote cancer

According to a new study, tiny plastic particles can be passed on during cell division. This could potentially favour the spread of cancer.
April 15th, 2024
a baby in a newborn ward

AI diagnoses heart defects in babies

An artificial intelligence (AI) developed by Zurich researchers recognises a specific heart defect in newborns. According to the researchers, it has the potential to reduce the number of missed diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension.
April 29th, 2024