External Human Force

External human force, encompassing forces exerted by humans on robots or objects, and forces impacting humans (e.g., head impacts), is a burgeoning research area aiming to improve human-robot interaction and safety. Current research focuses on modeling and predicting these forces using diverse methods, including deep learning (e.g., LSTM networks), graph neural networks, and novel spring mechanisms, often integrated with other sensor modalities like vision and tactile feedback. These advancements are crucial for enhancing robotic manipulation, particularly in contact-rich tasks and safety-critical applications, as well as improving the design of protective equipment and understanding human-machine interfaces.