HKUST develops EmArm robotic arm with whole-arm tactile skin

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have built the Embodied Sensorimotor Robotic Arm (EmArm), which embeds a soft optical tactile skin directly into the robotic skeleton. The arm senses contact along its upper and lower sections, distinguishes touches such as tickling and patting, and avoids obstacles using real-time tactile feedback.

• Soft optical tactile skin is embedded directly into the robotic skeleton
• Sensors cover the upper and lower arm, not just the hand
• The system distinguishes touch types and responds in real time
• Obstacle avoidance relies on tactile feedback