Meta Develops Robotic Hand with Human-like Touch Sensitivity

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Meta has announced a new partnership with GelSight, a leading sensor technology firm, and Wonik Robotics, a South Korean robotics company, to commercialize advanced tactile sensors designed for artificial intelligence applications. This collaboration aims to enhance AI's ability to interact with the physical world through sophisticated touch-sensing technology.

The newly developed devices, specifically the Digit 360 sensor, are not intended for consumer use but are geared toward researchers and scientists. Meta envisions these sensors being instrumental in advancing AI research by enabling systems to "learn about the world in richer detail" and to "better understand and model the physical world."

Digit 360 is described as a fingertip-shaped tactile sensor equipped with human-level multimodal sensing capabilities. It builds upon Meta's previous Digit sensor, incorporating an on-device AI chip and approximately 18 sensing features that allow it to detect environmental changes with remarkable precision. The sensor captures intricate touch signals, enabling it to perceive vibrations, sense heat, and even detect odors.

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In a recent blog post, Meta explained the technology behind Digit 360: “We developed a touch-perception-specific optical system with a wide field of view for capturing omnidirectional deformations on the fingertip surface.” This innovation allows researchers to explore various touch interactions and their unique profiles based on the mechanical, geometrical, and chemical properties of surfaces.

Digit 360 is set to be available for purchase next year, and Meta is inviting researchers to submit proposals for early access to the device.

Additionally, Meta's collaboration with Wonik Robotics will focus on developing the next generation of the Allegro Hand, which will integrate tactile sensors like Digit 360. This robotic hand will feature control boards that encode data from its tactile sensors onto a host computer, enhancing its ability to perform complex tasks.

The Allegro Hand is also expected to be released next year, marking a significant advancement in robotic technology that combines tactile sensing with sophisticated motor control. Through these innovations, Meta aims to push the boundaries of AI's interaction with its environment, paving the way for future advancements in robotics and AI research.