Melexis launches Tactaxis, giving robots haptic capabilities

     Melexis has completed a major innovation to improve the ability of robots to interact with fragile or diverse objects. Melexis introduces Tactaxis, a fully integrated tactile sensor that is compact and flexible, providing a 3D force vector on its surface. This innovation improves the robot's hand and gripper, enabling delicate operations like fruit picking. The technique has been successfully implemented in functional prototypes.

     This groundbreaking prototype features Melexis' industry-proven Triaxis® technology with multiple 3D magnetometer pixels. The sensor features a magnet embedded in an elastic material, creating a soft-touch interface that mimics the properties of human skin. The device is highly sensitive, so it responds accordingly even when small forces are detected. The achievable force resolution is 2.7mN, which is sufficient to discern weight changes of less than 1 gram (approximately 0.3 grams).

     The gradiometric method used in the actaxis prototype makes the sensor immune to stray magnetic fields, which prevents potential measurement errors, and is robust enough to handle harsh conditions such as temperature changes. Unlike other tactile sensors based on optical technology, Tactaxis is fully integrated and can produce factory calibrated sensors in high volume, a semiconductor process that offers significant cost and reliability advantages.

    "Robots require haptic technology to manipulate fragile objects. For such applications, we have developed a new magnetic sensor to accurately measure contact force while also being highly robust to disturbances." Melexis Global Innovation Manager Gael Close explained. By developing the power of Triaxis® magnetic sensor technology, Melexis has taken a major step forward in robotic tactile sensors, providing a robust and competitive multi-axis sensing solution. We will now use the Tactaxis prototype as the basis for future R&D work. "