• Author(s): Jessica Yin, Haozhi Qi, Jitendra Malik, James Pikul, Mark Yim, Tess Hellebrekers

“Learning In-Hand Translation Using Tactile Skin With Shear and Normal Force Sensing” introduces an innovative approach to robotic manipulation that leverages advanced tactile sensing technology. This research addresses the challenge of enabling robots to perform in-hand translation tasks, which involve manipulating objects within the hand, using tactile feedback to achieve precise control.

The core innovation of this work is the development of a tactile skin capable of sensing both shear and normal forces. This dual-sensing capability allows the robot to detect subtle changes in the forces applied to an object, providing critical information about the object’s movement and interaction with the robot’s fingers. By integrating this tactile skin with advanced machine learning algorithms, the researchers aim to teach robots how to manipulate objects with a high degree of dexterity and accuracy.

The tactile skin is designed to mimic the sensitivity of human skin, capturing detailed force information that can be used to adjust the robot’s grip and movements in real-time. This capability is particularly important for tasks that require delicate handling, such as assembling small components or manipulating fragile objects. The ability to sense shear forces, in addition to normal forces, provides the robot with a more comprehensive understanding of the object’s behavior, enabling more precise and controlled manipulation.

The paper provides extensive experimental results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The authors evaluate their method on several benchmark tasks, including in-hand translation of various objects, and compare it with existing state-of-the-art techniques. The results show that the use of shear and normal force sensing significantly improves the robot’s ability to perform in-hand translation tasks, achieving higher accuracy and reliability. Additionally, the paper includes qualitative examples that highlight the practical applications of this technology. These examples illustrate how the tactile skin can be used in various domains, such as industrial automation, where precise manipulation of objects is crucial for efficiency and safety. The versatility and adaptability of the tactile skin make it a valuable tool for enhancing the capabilities of robotic systems.

“Learning In-Hand Translation Using Tactile Skin With Shear and Normal Force Sensing” presents a significant advancement in the field of robotic manipulation. By leveraging advanced tactile sensing technology and machine learning, the authors offer a powerful framework for enabling robots to perform complex in-hand translation tasks with high precision. This research has important implications for various applications, making robotic systems more adaptable and effective in dynamic and diverse environments.