phat 18(14): e1

Research Article

A Soft Anthropomorphic & Tactile Fingertip for LowCost Prosthetic & Robotic Applications

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  • @ARTICLE{10.4108/eai.28-2-2018.155078,
    author={E. L. Secco and C. Moutschen},
    title={A Soft Anthropomorphic \& Tactile Fingertip for LowCost Prosthetic \& Robotic Applications},
    journal={EAI Endorsed Transactions on Pervasive Health and Technology},
    volume={4},
    number={14},
    publisher={EAI},
    journal_a={PHAT},
    year={2018},
    month={7},
    keywords={Anthropomorphic Design, Biologically Inspired Design; Sensor Integration, Sensor Optimization},
    doi={10.4108/eai.28-2-2018.155078}
}
  • E. L. Secco
    C. Moutschen
    Year: 2018
    A Soft Anthropomorphic & Tactile Fingertip for LowCost Prosthetic & Robotic Applications
    PHAT
    EAI
    DOI: 10.4108/eai.28-2-2018.155078
E. L. Secco1,*, C. Moutschen2
  • 1: Robotic Laboratory, Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park L16 9JD, UK
  • 2: HELMo-Gramme University, Quai du Condroz, 28, 4031 Angleur, Belgium
*Contact email: seccoe@hope.ac.uk

Abstract

Nowadays, prosthetic and robotic hands have reached an amazing dexterity and grasping capability. However, to enhance a proper tactile 'experience', dexterity should be supported by proper sensation of daily life objects which such devices are supposed to manipulate. Here we propose a low cost anthropomorphic solution for the integration of a force sensor within a biologically inspired fingertip. A commercial force resistive sensor is embedded within a human-like soft fingertip made of silicone: the housing of the sensor - a 3D printed bay embedded within the fingertip - is analyzed via Finite Element Analysis and optimized to enhance sensor response. Experiments validate the design and proposed solution.

Keywords
Anthropomorphic Design, Biologically Inspired Design; Sensor Integration, Sensor Optimization
Received
2018-06-28
Accepted
2018-07-04
Published
2018-07-23
Publisher
EAI
http://dx.doi.org/10.4108/eai.28-2-2018.155078

Copyright © 2018 E.L. Secco and C. Moutschen, licensed to EAI. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unlimited use, distribution and reproduction in any medium so long as the original work is properly cited.