SynTouch Technology

Gerald E. Loeb, M.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California and Chief Executive Officer, SynTouch, LCC, is head of a research team at USC that has developed a mechatronic fingertip that provides a sense of touch similar to that of a human fingertip. It employs novel "biomimetic" design principles to achieve robustness, as well as high-sensitivity and dynamic range. The technology is being developed by a spin-off company, SynTouch LCC, for a wide range of applications, including, in addition to prosthetic hands, industrial robots and fruit-harvesting machines.

Syntouch recently received Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants from the United States National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Loeb noted that Syntouch is working only on the sensors themselves and their integration into the control of prosthetic and robotic hands. "We are working with various industrial partners who build the mechatronic hands and arms."

The DigiTAC fingertip has a rigid core, elastic skin and even a fingernail, similar to a human finger. The skin is inflated with a small amount of conductive fluid. Electrodes distributed over the surface of the core detect changes in electrical resistance resulting from distortions of the skin upon contact with objects and surfaces. A pressure sensor inside the core detects micro vibrations in the skin and fluid associated with slip over surfaces. A thermistor detects the temperature and heat flows associated with contacting objects made of various materials. All signal processing is done by electronic circuitry molded into the rigid core, where it is protected from the hostile environments in which hands are often used. The skin is molded from silicone rubber and is easily replaced when worn or damaged.

Dr. Loeb explained, "The next challenge is to integrate this sensory information with the commands from the operator. In some cases, this will require "haptic displays" that recreate the sensations of touch as now employed in advanced virtual reality systems. In other situations, the tactile information will be used automatically to adjust the grip, similar to the reflexes upon which humans rely to prevent slip." Eventually, it should be possible for autonomous robots to identify and handle common tools and objects. At present, robots can handle objects only if they are well known and marked with visual identifiers of highly engineered attachment points.

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