## New “Electronic Skin” Brings Robots Closer to Human-Like Touch
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new sensor technology that mimics the human sense of touch, potentially revolutionizing robotics, prosthetics, and human-machine interaction. The breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge: creating affordable and effective tactile sensors for robots.
Detailed in a study published in *Nature Communications* (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61843-6), the technology replicates how nerves in human hands detect pressure and slippage during object manipulation. This capability is crucial for tasks requiring delicate handling and precise control.
“The applications are very exciting,” explains Jun Liu, assistant professor in the University at Buffalo’s mechanical and aerospace engineering department and the study’s lead author. “This technology could be applied to manufacturing processes like product assembly and packaging, were collaboration between humans and robots is key.It also holds promise for advancements in robotic surgery and the functionality of prosthetic limbs.”
The sensor, described as functioning like human skin, is both flexible and highly sensitive, capable of detecting not only pressure but also subtle movements. Vashin Gautham, a PhD candidate and first author of the study, notes, “It’s like giving machines a real sense of touch and grip, and this breakthrough could transform how robots, prosthetics, and human-machine interaction systems interact with the world.”
The research team integrated the sensor into 3D-printed robotic fingers attached to a compliant robotic gripper designed by Ehsan Esfahani, associate professor in the same department. This integration allows the gripper to detect slippage and automatically adjust its grip strength and flexibility, enabling more complex in-hand manipulation. in testing, the gripper successfully tightened its hold when researchers attempted to pull a copper weight from its grasp.
The sensor operates based on the tribovoltaic effect – the generation of direct-current (DC) electricity from friction between two materials caused by movement. Researchers found the sensor’s response time, ranging from 0.76 to 38 milliseconds, is comparable to that of human touch receptors (1-50 milliseconds).
“The system is incredibly fast, and well within the biological benchmarks set forth by human performance,” Liu states. “We found that the stronger or faster the slip, the stronger the response is from the sensor-this is fortuitous because it makes it easier to build control algorithms to enable the robot to act with precision.”
Future research will focus on incorporating reinforcement learning, a type of artificial intelligence, to further enhance the robot’s dexterity.The study was supported by the University at Buffalo Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics. (https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2025/07/liu-e-textile.html)
