Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulation

Abstract Dexterous manipulation in robotics requires coordinated sensing, signal processing, and actuation for real-time, precise object control. Despite advances, the current artificial tactile sensory system lacks the proficiency of the human sensory system in detecting multidirectional forces and...

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Main Authors: Vashin Gautham, Ashutosh Panpalia, Hamid Manouchehri, Krushang Khimjibhai Gabani, Vinoop Anil, Shakunthala Yerneni, Rohit Thakar, Aayush Nayyar, Mandar Anil Payare, Emily Jorgensen, Ruizhe Yang, Ehsan Esfahani, Jun Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61843-6
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author Vashin Gautham
Ashutosh Panpalia
Hamid Manouchehri
Krushang Khimjibhai Gabani
Vinoop Anil
Shakunthala Yerneni
Rohit Thakar
Aayush Nayyar
Mandar Anil Payare
Emily Jorgensen
Ruizhe Yang
Ehsan Esfahani
Jun Liu
author_facet Vashin Gautham
Ashutosh Panpalia
Hamid Manouchehri
Krushang Khimjibhai Gabani
Vinoop Anil
Shakunthala Yerneni
Rohit Thakar
Aayush Nayyar
Mandar Anil Payare
Emily Jorgensen
Ruizhe Yang
Ehsan Esfahani
Jun Liu
author_sort Vashin Gautham
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Dexterous manipulation in robotics requires coordinated sensing, signal processing, and actuation for real-time, precise object control. Despite advances, the current artificial tactile sensory system lacks the proficiency of the human sensory system in detecting multidirectional forces and multimodal stimuli. To address this limitation, we present a bio-inspired “slip-actuated” tactile sensing system, incorporating dynamic direct-current generator into stretchable electronic textile. This self-powered bionic tactile sensing system operates in conjunction with a normal force sensor, paralleling the functions of human rapid-adapting and slow-adapting mechanoreceptors, respectively. Furthermore, we tailor and integrate the bionic tactile sensing system with robotic fingers, creating a bionic design that mimics human skin and skeleton with mechanoreceptors. By embedding this system into the feedback loop of robotic fingers, we are able to achieve fast slip and grasp monitoring, as well as effective object manipulation. Moreover, we perform quantitative analysis based on Hertzian contact mechanics to fundamentally understand the dependency of output on force and velocity in our sensor system. The results of this work provide an artificial tactile sensing mechanism for AI-driven smart robotics with human-inspired tactile sensing capabilities for future manufacturing, healthcare, and human-machine interaction.
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spelling doaj-art-76f93ce0df19428ebd7609f281f955c32025-08-20T03:05:14ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-61843-6Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulationVashin Gautham0Ashutosh Panpalia1Hamid Manouchehri2Krushang Khimjibhai Gabani3Vinoop Anil4Shakunthala Yerneni5Rohit Thakar6Aayush Nayyar7Mandar Anil Payare8Emily Jorgensen9Ruizhe Yang10Ehsan Esfahani11Jun Liu12Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkPritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of ChicagoDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkAbstract Dexterous manipulation in robotics requires coordinated sensing, signal processing, and actuation for real-time, precise object control. Despite advances, the current artificial tactile sensory system lacks the proficiency of the human sensory system in detecting multidirectional forces and multimodal stimuli. To address this limitation, we present a bio-inspired “slip-actuated” tactile sensing system, incorporating dynamic direct-current generator into stretchable electronic textile. This self-powered bionic tactile sensing system operates in conjunction with a normal force sensor, paralleling the functions of human rapid-adapting and slow-adapting mechanoreceptors, respectively. Furthermore, we tailor and integrate the bionic tactile sensing system with robotic fingers, creating a bionic design that mimics human skin and skeleton with mechanoreceptors. By embedding this system into the feedback loop of robotic fingers, we are able to achieve fast slip and grasp monitoring, as well as effective object manipulation. Moreover, we perform quantitative analysis based on Hertzian contact mechanics to fundamentally understand the dependency of output on force and velocity in our sensor system. The results of this work provide an artificial tactile sensing mechanism for AI-driven smart robotics with human-inspired tactile sensing capabilities for future manufacturing, healthcare, and human-machine interaction.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61843-6
spellingShingle Vashin Gautham
Ashutosh Panpalia
Hamid Manouchehri
Krushang Khimjibhai Gabani
Vinoop Anil
Shakunthala Yerneni
Rohit Thakar
Aayush Nayyar
Mandar Anil Payare
Emily Jorgensen
Ruizhe Yang
Ehsan Esfahani
Jun Liu
Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulation
Nature Communications
title Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulation
title_full Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulation
title_fullStr Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulation
title_full_unstemmed Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulation
title_short Slip-actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic DC generator integrated E-textile for dexterous robotic manipulation
title_sort slip actuated bionic tactile sensing system with dynamic dc generator integrated e textile for dexterous robotic manipulation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61843-6
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