This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
A new development in electronic skin technology could reshape how robots interact with the physical world. Scientists from the University of Cambridge and University College London have unveiled a flexible, low-cost material that mimics the function of human skin, enabling robotic systems to detect and process multiple forms of touch—ranging from temperature to pressure and even damage.
The innovation, recently published in Science Robotics, centers on a conductive, gelatin-based hydrogel that can be molded into complex shapes, such as a human hand. According to TechXplore, unlike traditional approaches that rely on separate sensors for pressure, heat, or damage, this material is itself a unified sensor—capable of multi-modal sensing across its entire surface. On top of being able to sense multiple inputs at the same time, the sensor is also highly durable and can sustain demanding situations.
What sets this new electronic skin apart is its ability to generate over 860,000 data pathways from a single material structure. In testing, just 32 electrodes placed near the wrist of a robotic hand gathered more than 1.7 million data points across the surface. These measurements helped distinguish different kinds of physical contact—whether it was a gentle tap, a hot object, or a sharp cut.
To make sense of the complex data, researchers trained machine learning models to identify which signals corresponded to specific types of touch. This allowed the robotic skin to accurately recognize and respond to different interactions.
Applications for the technology are wide-ranging. In addition to enhancing humanoid robots and prosthetic devices, the electronic skin could play a role in automotive safety systems, industrial robotics, and disaster response—any field where reliable, sensitive interaction with the environment is essential, according to TechXplore.
While not yet as perceptive as human skin, this new material represents a significant leap forward. Its combination of sensitivity, flexibility, and low production cost marks a promising step toward making truly tactile robots a practical reality.
