Meta's Robot Fingertip Can 'Feel' with AI Touch Sensors

Meta, the company behind Facebook, is teaming up with sensor company GelSight and South Korean robotics firm Wonik Robotics to commercialise cutting-edge touch sensors for AI. These new devices aren't for everyday consumers, but rather for scientists pushing the boundaries of AI research.

‍

The star of the show is Digit 360, a high-tech ‘fingertip’ that can 'feel' like a human hand. This smart gadget uses an AI chip and over 18 sensing features to detect changes in its environment, enabling it to pick up on vibrations, temperature, and even smells.

‍

Meta's engineers have developed a unique “touch-perception-specific optical system” for the Digit 360 that can capture touch information from all angles, meaning the sensor can detect how surfaces deform when touched, providing a wealth of data about the objects it interacts with.

‍

In Meta’s own words: “By leveraging such multimodal signals, Digit 360 will help scientists advance research into AI that can learn about the world in richer detail.”

‍

Researchers keen to get their hands on the Digit 360 won't have to wait long, as it's set to hit the market sometime next year. Meta is also offering early access to some scientists through a proposal programme.

‍

But that's not all. Meta is also working with Wonik Robotics to develop the Allegro Hand – "a fully integrated robotic hand with tactile sensors". The technology aims to assist robotics researchers in conducting experiments.

‍

Both the Digit 360 and the Allegro Hand are expected to be available for purchase in 2025.