Tactile Sensing for Biomedical Technologies

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Restoring missing sensory function following hand amputation is a challenge for prosthetic designers/engineers. This patented technology replicates the human sense of touch and could provide upper limb prosthetics of the future with a sense of friction and grip security, which is essential for dexterity.

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Competitive advantage

  • Patented soft sensor design can measure 3D localised force, 3D localised deflection, 3D localised vibration, torque, incipient slip (when parts of a surface slip while other parts remain stuck) and friction at the contact interface
  • No other sensing technology can measure all of these parameters which are sensed by the human skin and play an essential role in enabling human dexterity
  • Sensor technology could provide upper limb prosthetics of the future with a sense of touch
  • The size, density, compliance, measurement range and sensitivity of the sensor can be customised
  • The sensor is resistant to heat, shock, water and chemicals

Impact

  • Applications of the tactile sensing technology include hand prostheses, robotic surgery, robot-assisted rehabilitation – which improve control and dexterity through feedback mechanisms based on tactile information.

Successful outcomes

  • Successful participation in the CSIRO ON Accelerate 2019 start-up accelerator program for commercialisation.

Capabilities and facilities

  • Electrical engineering (electronics design and signal processing)
  • Software engineering (firmware and software design and programming)
  • Machine learning
  • Prototyping
  • 3D printing
  • Electronics
  • Testing equipment including robotic arms and grippers and mechanical stages

Our partners

  • Funding from US Office of Naval Research Global.