Melexis
Robotic hands with a sense of touch
To improve the ability of robots to interact with sensitive or different objects, Melexis has developed a fully integrated tactile sensor called 'Tactaxis'. This enables robots to pick fruit, for example.
The compact and soft sensor outputs the 3D force vector acting on its surface, improving the hands and grippers of robots and enabling delicate operations such as fruit picking.
The technology has been implemented in a working prototype equipped with multiple 3D magnetometer pixels based on Melexis' 'Triaxis' technology. The sensor is accompanied by a magnet embedded in an elastomer. This creates a soft contact surface that mimics the properties of human skin. According to the manufacturer, the arrangement offers high sensitivity, so that even small amounts of force trigger a reaction. The force resolution achieved is 2.7 mN, which is sufficient to detect weight changes of a fraction of a gram (approx. 0.3 g).
The Tactaxis prototype is only 5 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm in size and is therefore suitable for confined spaces. The gradiometric approach makes the sensor immune to stray magnetic fields and prevents possible measurement errors. At the same time, it is robust enough to withstand harsh conditions (temperature fluctuations, etc.).
Melexis, based in Belgium, employs over 1500 people at 18 locations worldwide.
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