Robots Mastering the Art of Human Interaction – Robohub
Introduction:
Artificial hands, although advanced, lack the tactile abilities necessary for dexterity and struggle to effectively link sensing to action in robotic systems. Prof. Dr. Philipp Beckerle and his international colleagues have summarized the latest findings in robotics and proposed a sensorimotor control framework for haptically enabled artificial hands. Their goal is to enhance human-controlled robotic hands by linking tactile sensing to movement. The researchers suggest incorporating recently developed tactile sensing technologies into “electronic skins” to mimic the mechanical properties and sensing abilities of human fingertips. They also draw inspiration from the human central nervous system to achieve haptically informed and dexterous machines. However, effectively interfacing human users with touch-enabled robotic hands still poses a challenge. The researchers conclude that human principles provide inspiration for future mechatronic systems that can function alongside or as replacement parts for humans.
Full Article: Robots Mastering the Art of Human Interaction – Robohub
Advancements in Robotics: Artificial Hands and the Importance of Tactile Sensing
Artificial hands have come a long way, but they still aren’t as capable as real human hands. One key factor that sets human hands apart is their tactile abilities, which are essential for dexterity. Researchers from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and other international institutions have come together to review the latest discoveries in this field of Robotics. Their goal is to establish a framework that integrates tactile sensing with movement in robotic hands, inspired by the principles of the human central nervous system. This approach holds the promise of enhancing dexterity in humans controlling robotic hands.
Why Tactile Sensing is Crucial
According to Prof. Dr. Philipp Beckerle, head of FAU’s Chair of Autonomous Systems and Mechatronics, touch is crucial for human dexterity. People with intact motor function but insensate fingertips often face difficulties when grasping or manipulating objects. This emphasizes the importance of tactile sensing in human dexterity. Beckerle and his colleagues believe that incorporating lessons from human haptics into the design of artificial hands could greatly improve their limited dexterity. However, current robotic and prosthetic hands make poor use of the available tactile sensors, resulting in less dexterity.
The Role of Tactile Sensing Technologies
Prof. Beckerle’s recent paper, “A hierarchical sensorimotor control framework for human-in-the-loop robotic hands,” outlines how recent advancements in technology can provide not only mechatronic and computational components for robotic limbs but also sensing capabilities. The researchers propose incorporating these tactile sensing technologies into a concept called “electronic skins.” This includes using dense arrays of normal-force-sensing tactile elements instead of just fingertips. This would create a force-distribution map over the entire sensing surface, mimicking the mechanical properties and sensory functions of human fingertips. By mounting tactile sensing systems on mechatronic limbs, these technologies could enable robotic systems to better characterize, identify, and manipulate objects.
Inspired by Human Principles
To achieve machines with haptic awareness and dexterity, the researchers suggest drawing inspiration from the hierarchically organized human central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is responsible for controlling the signals that the brain receives from tactile senses and sends back to the body. The proposed framework involves a bioinspired touch-enabled robot that shares control with the human to a certain extent. This includes parallel processing of tasks, integration of feedforward and feedback control, and a balanced combination of subconscious and conscious processing. These principles can be applied not only in the design of robotic limbs but also in virtual avatars or remotely operated telerobots.
Challenges in Human-Robot Interface
Effectively integrating touch-enabled robotic hands with human users remains a challenge. The researchers acknowledge that enhancing haptic robots with high-density tactile sensing can improve their capabilities, but it raises questions about how to transmit these signals to a human controller and navigate shared perception and action in human-machine systems. Issues such as agency and task assignment, maximizing utility, and optimizing the user experience in human-in-the-loop systems still need to be resolved. However, drawing inspiration from human principles can guide the future design of mechatronic systems that function seamlessly alongside humans, or even as replacements for humans.
The Focus of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Prof. Dr. Beckerle’s Chair is part of FAU’s Departments of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Information Technology, as well as the Department of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering. Their mission is to conduct research on human-centric mechatronics and robotics, aiming to create solutions that combine performance with user-friendly interaction properties. Their focus lies in wearable systems like prostheses or exoskeletons, cognitive systems such as collaborative or humanoid robots, and tasks involving close human-robot interaction. Human factors play a crucial role in these scenarios to meet user needs and establish a synergistic interface and interaction between humans and machines.
Collaboration from International Institutions
The paper was a collaborative effort by scientists from various institutions, including the Universities of Genoa, Pisa, and Rome, as well as Aalborg, Bangor, and Pittsburgh. Additionally, researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, contributed to the study.
Conclusion
Researchers from FAU and other international institutions are focused on advancing the capabilities of artificial hands by integrating tactile sensing with movement. By drawing inspiration from the principles of the human central nervous system, they aim to enhance dexterity in human-controlled robotic hands. Incorporating tactile sensing technologies and refining the human-robot interface remain challenges, but there is great potential for future advancements in this field.
Summary: Robots Mastering the Art of Human Interaction – Robohub
A team of researchers, including Prof. Dr. Philipp Beckerle from FAU, has published a paper in Science Robotics summarizing the latest findings in the field of Robotics. The researchers propose a sensorimotor control framework for haptically enabled robotic hands, inspired by principles of the human’s central nervous system. They suggest incorporating recent advancements in tactile sensing technologies into the design of electronic skins for artificial hands, which could significantly improve their dexterity. The researchers also propose taking inspiration from the human central nervous system to achieve haptically informed machines and discuss the challenges of effectively interfacing humans with these robotic hands. The paper highlights the potential for these advancements in various fields, including prosthetics and remote robotics.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What is robotics?
A1: Robotics is a branch of technology that involves the design, development, and implementation of robots. These robots can be autonomous or controlled by humans and are designed to perform tasks that are typically repetitive, dangerous, or labor-intensive in nature. Robotics includes various subfields such as industrial robotics, medical robotics, and even social robotics.
Q2: How do robots work?
A2: Robots operate through a combination of hardware and software components. Hardware includes mechanical parts, sensors, actuators, and power sources, while software consists of algorithms and programming instructions. Sensors provide robots with information about their surroundings, enabling them to make decisions and perform tasks accordingly. Actuators allow robots to physically interact with the environment. By processing data and following instructions, robots can carry out tasks with precision and accuracy.
Q3: What are the main advantages of robotics?
A3: Robotics offers numerous benefits across different industries and applications. Some key advantages include increased productivity, enhanced accuracy, improved safety, and cost savings. Robots can work continuously without tiring, leading to higher production rates. Their precise movements result in improved accuracy and quality control. Furthermore, robots can perform dangerous tasks that could put human lives at risk, enhancing safety in hazardous environments. Additionally, automation minimizes errors and reduces operational costs over time.
Q4: What are the current and future applications of robotics?
A4: Robotics is widely used in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation. In manufacturing, robots are utilized for assembly, welding, packaging, and material handling. In healthcare, robotic surgery systems aid surgeons in performing minimally invasive procedures with more precision. Furthermore, robots assist in agricultural tasks like harvesting and spraying pesticides. The future of robotics holds promising applications, such as autonomous vehicles, delivery drones, and exoskeletons for enhanced human capabilities.
Q5: What skills are required to pursue a career in robotics?
A5: A career in robotics can encompass various disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence. To excel in this field, it is essential to have a strong foundation in mathematics and physics. Proficiency in programming languages like Python, C++, or Java is also beneficial for developing robotic software. Additionally, skills in problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork are valuable for designing and implementing robotic systems effectively.
Note: These questions and answers are intended for informative purposes and may vary based on individual perspectives and technological advancements.
