SMRTR Science & EngineeringAug 16, 2026Interesting Engineering

Electric-field robot sensor lets machines ‘feel’ and identify objects without touch

SMRTR summary

Chinese researchers have developed a robot sensor that can identify objects without touching them, inspired by how electric eels navigate their environment. Using a charged surface to generate an electric field, the sensor detects distortions caused by nearby objects, letting it determine their material, shape, and distance. Potential uses include factory robots, prosthetics, and environments where cameras struggle, like smoke or darkness.

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