[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon ] UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD(011330)Loomia Technologies, a U.S. company that signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the shares, has unveiled its electronic skin technology applied to the robotic hand of German industrial automation firm Festo.

According to industry sources on the 15th, Loomia recently introduced a development case study on its official website showcasing the application of flexible tactile sensor gloves to Festo’s robotic hand. The released photo shows the robotic hand, wearing the tactile sensor gloves, holding a light bulb.

The newly unveiled tactile glove features a total of 131 sensing points located at key contact areas, including the palm, fingertips, and between the joints. The system integrates the sensor array into the fabric to collect pressure data in real time from various parts of the robotic hand.

For a robot to handle fragile objects like light bulbs or manipulate irregularly shaped objects, it must be able to detect the exact point of contact and the distribution of pressure. The tactile sensors detect whether an object is touching the fingertips, being supported by the palm, or if force is concentrated on a specific area, and this information is used to adjust the gripping force.

The core technology is “LEL (Loomia Electronic Layer),” a flexible electronic circuit developed by Loomia. By integrating flexible circuits and pressure-sensing sensors into the material, the team created a glove-like structure that adapts to the movements of the robotic hand. A key feature is the careful consideration of sensor placement and material flexibility, enabling the collection of contact data even as the fingers bend or straighten.

During the development process, Loomia evaluated more than 30 types of force-sensitive resistor (FSR) materials, whose electrical resistance changes in response to applied force. The company selected the most suitable material after reviewing factors such as sensing sensitivity, durability, and manufacturability.

In addition, the team improved the sensor layout through a total of eight design iterations, including the production of five partial-hand prototypes and three full-hand prototypes. They also prepared 13 printed circuit board (PCB) layout designs to connect the tactile sensor array to Festo’s control electronics.

During the validation process, the team modified Festo’s Arduino test code to apply simulated pressure loads and verify the functionality of each sensor area. Lumia explained that these tests were used to verify the accuracy and reliability of the tactile sensor system.

This technology holds potential for application in the field of physical artificial intelligence (AI) as it enables robots to obtain sensory information necessary when coming into contact with real objects. It can be applied not only to measuring pressure distribution in robotic hands and grippers but also to wearable gloves that collect contact data from human hands and to data collection for robot training.

Meanwhile, UNI CHEM.CO.,LTD has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Lumia’s shares and is moving forward with expanding its electronic skin business. Going forward, the company is expected to leverage Lumia’s flexible electronics technology to develop and commercialize tactile sensor products tailored to the configurations and control environments of its clients’ robots.