Whisker Inspired Sensor

Whisker-inspired sensors mimic the tactile sensing capabilities of animal whiskers to enable robots to perceive their environment through gentle contact, improving navigation and object manipulation in cluttered or unknown spaces. Current research focuses on developing sensor arrays for detecting multiple flow sources (e.g., wind and self-motion), employing Bayesian filtering algorithms for precise contact localization and 3D surface reconstruction, and integrating these sensors with neuromorphic computing for efficient onboard processing. These advancements hold significant promise for enhancing the dexterity and autonomy of robots in diverse applications, from underwater exploration to navigating challenging terrains.