Touchlab's Electronic Skin: Healthcare Robot with Sense of Touch

Touchlab, based in Edinburgh, has developed a groundbreaking technology called electronic skin (e-skin) that enables robots to feel touch, a sense that has been largely overlooked in the field of robotics until now. Below is the recent video from BBC’s flagship technology program about Touchlab:



Touch is a vital sense for most living creatures, and its absence has been a limiting factor in the development of robots capable of operating in unstructured environments and interacting with humans. Touchlab's e-skin technology aims to overcome this limitation by providing robots with the ability to detect and respond to touch, pressure, and other tactile sensations.


E-skin is a thin, flexible material that incorporates an array of force sensors. These sensors can be printed onto various substrates, allowing the e-skin to be applied to different parts of a robot's body. When the e-skin comes into contact with an object or person, it detects changes in pressure and relays this information to the robot's control system, enabling it to respond appropriately.



One of the key advantages of e-skin is its ability to enable robots to interact with objects and humans in a gentle, precise manner. By detecting subtle changes in pressure, robots equipped with e-skin can handle delicate objects, such as strawberries or the hand of a newborn baby, without causing damage. This capability opens up a wide range of potential applications, from agriculture to healthcare.


In addition to enabling gentle interaction, e-skin also enhances the safety of robots operating in human environments. By detecting contact with obstacles or people, robots can navigate their surroundings more effectively, avoiding collisions and unintended harm. This increased safety is crucial for the successful integration of robots into various settings, from homes to hospitals.


To demonstrate the potential of e-skin technology in real-world applications, Touchlab has deployed Välkky, an avatar system equipped with e-skin on its fingertips, to a hospital in Finland. Operated by nurses using a VR headset and haptic glove, Välkky enables remote interaction with patients, particularly those who are immunocompromised.


Nurses can use Välkky to communicate with patients, deliver food and medication, and take physical measurements such as temperature. The robot's e-skin technology ensures that these interactions are safe and gentle, reducing the risk of harm to patients. Additionally, Välkky's laser scanners, 360-degree camera, and heat camera provide enhanced spatial awareness and functionality, making it a valuable tool in the hospital setting.



Touchlab's e-skin technology and the Välkky pilot project represent a significant step forward in the integration of robotics into healthcare. By enabling robots to feel touch and interact safely with patients, e-skin has the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered, reducing the workload on human staff and minimizing the spread of infections.


Looking ahead, Touchlab aims to develop autonomous, dexterous robots capable of performing more complex tasks, such as repositioning patients or changing catheters. By leveraging machine learning and the data gathered through projects like Välkky, the company hopes to create robots that can work alongside human healthcare professionals, enhancing the quality of care and improving patient outcomes.


Touchlab's e-skin technology enables machines to feel touch and interact with their environment in a more human-like manner. As demonstrated by the Välkky pilot project in Finland, this technology has the potential to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, making robots safer, more precise, and more capable of working alongside humans.