Reports suggest Meta is teaming up with GelSight and the South Korean robotics company Wonik Robotics to commercialise tactile sensors for AI.
Recently, Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) division has debuted a series of tools that may allow robotic systems to perceive, interpret, and react to what they come into contact with.
Such advancements could allow even basic robotic arms to be sensitive enough to manipulate fragile items without harming them, expanding their usefulness across various environments.
Meta demonstrated an array of new technologies and features that combine to enable robots to sense touch. The Sparsh (derived from the Sanskrit word) touch-sensing technology enables AI to identify characteristics like pressure, texture, and movement without requiring a significant database.
To define this, Meta describes it as: “The human hand is marvelous at signaling to the brain touch information across the skin from fingertips to palm.”
It’s similar to how a person can feel an object in the dark and describe its characteristics, even if they cannot see it.
To provide the AI model with data about what the robot touches, Meta joined forces with GelSight to develop a robotic fingertip known as Digit 360.
With very sensitive sensors, Digit 360 allows the AI to determine specifics about the object being touched and to apply suitable pressure for various tasks, such as lifting or rotating it.
To enhance the robotic hand or similar device, Meta introduced a system called Plexus in collaboration with Wonik Robotics, aimed at spreading various touch sensors across the device.
According to Meta, Plexus is capable of mimicking the human sense of touch well enough to manage delicate or awkward items.
Scheduled for release next year, Digit 360 will be available for purchase, with members of the research community able to apply for early access via the Digit 360 call for proposals.
In the meantime, Wonik Robotics is set to manufacture and distribute the next generation of the Allegro Hand, scheduled for launch next year. Researchers can fill out an interest form to stay informed about this release.
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