Sensitive artificial skin for robots (prototype)

On view at X-D-E-P-O-T
Display Case 53: Medicine
DesignCheng, Gordon GND
Mittendorfer, Philipp
Dean-Leon, Emmanuel
Bergner, Florian
Guadarrama Olvera, Julio Rogelio
Leboutet, Quentin
ProductionTechnische Universität München
Date Execution2012
Date Draft2012
DesignCheng, Gordon GND
Mittendorfer, Philipp
Dean-Leon, Emmanuel
Bergner, Florian
Guadarrama Olvera, Julio Rogelio
Leboutet, Quentin
ProductionTechnische Universität München
Date Execution2012
Date Draft2012

This sample of e-skin500 corresponds to a piece of skin of the H1 robot at the Technical University of Munich. In 2019, 1,260 cells of a prototype of e-skin500 was put onto its upper body, arms, legs and on the soles of its feet. The synthetic skin is made up of hexagonal cells each of which form an independent system. Like the human nerve system, this skin responds to touch and temperature. The pieces are placed alongside each other and they communicate with one another. Sensors continue to measure even when individual cells fail. E-skin500 represented a groundbreaking innovation: It was not previously possible to provide a robot with a reactive surface due to insufficient computing capacity. E-skin500 can save 90 percent of this capacity as the skin cells only respond when there is an occurrence. This is known as a neuro-engineering approach. This type of invention helps robots to be more careful, enhancing safety when they function near people, meaning they can be used in patient care situations.

  • Cheng and team during research and development
    © TUM. Foto: Astrid Eckert
  • Reaction of the skin to human touch
    © TUM. Foto: Astrid Eckert
  • Reaction of sensitive skin to a feather
    © TUM. Foto: Astrid Eckert
  • Developer team for research and development
    © TUM. Foto: Astrid Eckert

Further detail

DesignCheng, Gordon GND
Mittendorfer, Philipp
Dean-Leon, Emmanuel
Bergner, Florian
Guadarrama Olvera, Julio Rogelio
Leboutet, Quentin
ProductionTechnische Universität München
Date Execution2012
Date Draft2012
Place of productionMunich, Germany
MaterialSilicone cover and electronic parts
GenreInstruments-Tools-Motors
Inventory no939/2020 L
AccessionOn loan from Prof Gordon Cheng