Rubber conductor offers robots a stretchy skin

Read more:
http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14497

Stretchy rubber circuits could give robots soft and sensitive skins to make them safer around humans, says Japanese researchers.

Footage courtesy of
Takao Someya, Tokyo University

Stills courtesy Science/AAAS

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• robots
• robotics
• electronics
• science
• newscientist
• mechanics
• gadget
• engineering
• newscientistvideo
• new
• scientist

[TheReasonWhyGuy]

MORE RESEARCH!!!

NOW!!!

[wiqqido]

the cylons are coming.

[Xantoasty]

it cost 400 thousand dollors to stretch this skin for 12 seconds

[TheLifePerfect]

When I become a cybernetic cop-prostitute, I promise I'll stop trolling YouTube.

[dinmagic]

...and after that , they'll make robotic Play-Doh.

[Dth091]

@LBpDC Flexible conductors would allow completely flexible circuits, which means your robot doesn't need to be rigid. It would be able to squeeze through tight spaces like an octopus does.

[TERRANCIO]

@villeppi Walmart

[LegoHog4001]

@villeppi i don't know, but i see a working set of master chief armor in the near future :)

[villeppi]

Where can I order my nanosuit?

[DrSparrowShrike]

well it means tht there wouldnt be need for wiring in places were it may get caught in things. or it may be very useful in the robotic prosthetic limb industry at elbow or knee joints.

[LBpDC]

I both see, and understand. But why? Why would this be necessary when the underlying wiring isn't exposed to the humans to whom which it is "unsafe" around? Putting a soft coating overtop the wiring and inner-working seems sufficient. Why do we need a flexible conductor in THIS application?