Try out a new Robotiq technology: Tactile Sensors beta program

JeanPhilippe_Jobin 2016-11-29

We’re looking for beta testers with a manufacturing background for our new technology.

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The Robotiq 2-Finger Gripper Tactile Sensors built by Robotiq is an ultrasensitive multimodal tactile sensor that can measure pressure, contact location, and vibration. Designed to be installed on the 2-Finger Gripper, the tactile sensor pads replace the usual fingertips and connect to a data acquisition module at the base of the 2-Finger Gripper.

Software is then used to interpret data from the tactile sensors, to determine the quality of the good grasp.

More information on the philosophy behind the Robotiq 2-Finger Gripper Tactile Sensor is available here.

We’re looking for testers who will take some time to validate the usability of such sensors in industrial applications.

These sensors are still under development and are not to be put in production.

Apply here for the beta program. A 2-Finger Gripper is required to qualify for the beta program.

We have a limited set of test units to loan and will confirm the chosen testers by the end of December.

matthewd92 2016-12-02

I applied yesterday! Very excited for this technology as it may help us solve some potential issues we have.

JeanPhilippe_Jobin 2016-12-05

@matthewd92
Thanks for your interest. We'll have a look at your proposal and let you know very soon.

Thielen 2016-12-07

Hey,

the idea of tactile sensors sounds great. Will it be possible to notice the force of each fingertipp? Are there some URcaps pre-installed?

Thanks!

JeanPhilippe_Jobin 2016-12-07

Very good questions @Thielen

Are there some URcaps pre-installed?

This beta release unfortunately does not include a URCaps nor any Polyscope Scripts. It is intended to validate the potential of the technology in industrial or research worlds and to experiment is robustness. There are two main ways the tactile information could be used at this point in time:

Through a Windows App where you can

Visualized the tactile information of each fingertip in both static (mostly related to force distribution) and dynamic (mostly related to vibrations) modes
record the tactile information (csv file)

Through a ROS package (Beta version will be available with the hardware package)

This will allow you to use the tactile information in real time

We understand that it is not the best scenario for industrial applications with the URs but please understand that this is for beta use only. If we ever are to release a commercial version of this technology, a proper URCaps would have to be developed. Hence, this beta program is the perfect situation for customers and partners to make propositions of what such URCaps should be.

Will it be possible to notice the force of each fingertip?

Yes,

First, each fingertip sensor is independent
Second, on each fingertip, there are 28 Taxels (4X7) that gives you a distribution of the force on the fingertip surface

Enric 2016-12-17

@JeanPhilippe_Jobin This program is avaliable for a customer with a gripper 3Fingers?

Best

Etienne_Samson 2016-12-19

@Enric it is possible to fit on the 3-Finger but the kit is really design for the 2-Finger. See picture below, each of the pad is meant to be mounted on the 2-Finger (bolt pattern) and then they are connected to a base plate that is fixed on the 2-Finger via its coupling.

You could modify the design to fit in on a 3-Finger but it will require some work.