New robotic system can transmit sense of touch

Japanese researchers have developed a robotic system that can convey the sense of touch--including temperature, hardness and texture--from a robot to a human hand.

The system was developed by Susumu Tachi, special professor at Keio University, and his development staff.

The user wears a helmet with a monitor display, a vest and gloves that can receive the "sense of touch" of fabrics and objects grasped by the robot. The vest transmits information about the wearer's position and posture, while the gloves recreate the sense of touch and temperature of the object.

When the user tries to touch an item displayed on the monitor, the robot grasps the real item and transmit data about its temperature and hardness.

As the robot has a number of sensors on its fingertips, the user can even feel the vibrations of marbles in a glass container and detect differences in the feel of fabrics.