Robohub.org
 

Vision, force and touch for manipulation


by
22 July 2010



share this:

Manipulating objects is still a major challenge for robots in human-centered environments. To overcome this hurdle, Prats et al. propose to combine vision, force and tactile sensing to achieve robust and reliable manipulation with a robot arm fitted with a 3-finger hand (see video below).

Using three sensing modalities increases the robustness of the system, especially since each sensor taken alone has its shortcomings. For example, vision can be used to track a manipulated object and can therefor be used to control manipulation. However, vision is sometimes badly calibrated or occluded. Furthermore, forces applied to the robot arm can be measured to make sure the efforts are focussed in the right direction. However, if the robot does not have a good grip on the object it is manipulating, this might cause it to slip. Adding tactile sensing instead is useful to feel the object manipulated and readjust the position of the manipulator when errors occur.

To prove their point, Prats et al. test different combinations of all three sensor modalities on a tricky task for robots, opening a sliding door. In the end, it seems that a combination of vision, force and tactile sensing saves the day.




Sabine Hauert is President of Robohub and Associate Professor at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory
Sabine Hauert is President of Robohub and Associate Professor at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory





Related posts :



Robot Talk Episode 128 – Making microrobots move, with Ali K. Hoshiar

  10 Oct 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Ali K. Hoshiar from University of Essex about how microrobots move and work together.

Interview with Zahra Ghorrati: developing frameworks for human activity recognition using wearable sensors

and   08 Oct 2025
Zahra tells us more about her research on wearable technology.

Women in robotics you need to know about 2025

  06 Oct 2025
This global list celebrates women's impact across the robotics ecosystem and globe.

Robot Talk Episode 127 – Robots exploring other planets, with Frances Zhu

  03 Oct 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Frances Zhu from the Colorado School of Mines about intelligent robotic systems for space exploration.

Rethinking how robots move: Light and AI drive precise motion in soft robotic arm

  01 Oct 2025
Researchers at Rice University have developed a soft robotic arm capable of performing complex tasks.

RoboCup Logistics League: an interview with Alexander Ferrein, Till Hofmann and Wataru Uemura

and   25 Sep 2025
Find out more about the RoboCup league focused on production logistics and the planning.

Drones and Droids: a co-operative strategy game

  22 Sep 2025
Scottish Association for Marine Science is running a crowdfunding campaign for educational card game.



 

Robohub is supported by:




Would you like to learn how to tell impactful stories about your robot or AI system?


scicomm
training the next generation of science communicators in robotics & AI


 












©2025.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence