Contact Pressure A pressure sensor for a mechanical hand gives better feedback of the gripping force and more-sensitive indication of when the hand contacts an object. Optical fibers bring light into cells on the gripping surface.
Light is reflected from a flexible covering into other fibers leading to detectors.
Distortion due to tactile pressure changes the amount of reflected light. The new device is superior to previous sensors. For example, television or other direct-viewing systems are not sensitive to contact pressure, and the contact area is often hidden from view. Electrical sensors are subject to electrical noise, especially at the low signal levels associated with low contact pressure. Optical sensors have been used to detect proximity or contact but not contact pressure.