When using force or pressure sensors compared to vision-based tactile sensors like those utilized in GelLink, several challenges may arise. Force or pressure sensors typically have lower sensing resolution than vision-based systems, leading to limitations in capturing fine details during interactions with objects. These sensors are often made of stiff materials that may not be suitable for delicate interactions with humans or fragile objects due to their rigid nature. Moreover, force sensors might struggle to provide rich information beyond basic contact forces or pressures.
On the other hand, vision-based tactile sensors offer high-resolution geometrical information about contacted objects along with various tactile feedback such as slip detection and contact force measurement. They have soft surfaces akin to human skin that allow for gentle interactions without causing damage to sensitive items. Vision-based systems like Gelsight used in GelLink provide detailed visual data that can be processed for advanced applications such as shape reconstruction and precise force estimation.