Soft skin pads with sensors made from thermoplastic urethane can be efficiently manufactured using 3D printers, enhancing safety and tactile sensing in robots

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers have developed soft skin pads with sensors from thermoplastic urethane using 3D printers. These pads enhance safety and tactile sensing in robots, offering cost-effective solutions. The pads can halt movement near hazardous areas and interpret touches as instructions. This innovation simplifies robotic interactions and maintenance, potentially revolutionizing human-robot interactions.