Robotics Reference
In-Depth Information
Toribio Fernandez Otero and Maria Teresa Cortes of the Poly-
technic University of Cartagena made their robotic finger from a
“smart polymer” called polypyrrole, which expands in response to
an electric current and conducts electricity differently in response
to changes in pressure. This technology allows the fingertip to ap-
ply exactly the right amount of force needed to move an object at
the same speed, almost regardless of the object's weight. For heav-
ier objects, the finger simply pushes with more force and uses more
energy. This automatic adjustment of pressure happens because of
the way the polymer film is squeezed against the obstacle. Pres-
sure changes the packing of the polymer molecules, which alters
the voltage needed to make it bend. In effect, the finger “feels” the
resistance that its motion encounters. [6]
If this technology is applied to its fingers, a robot will be able to offer
the lightest of touches and the most gentle of caresses to its lover. And
in return the receptors in its artificial skin will provide the robots with
sensous feedback.
When Can I Buy One?
The answer may be “sooner than you think”. Although it remains to
be seen whether the efforts of the Indian doctors 2 do in fact lead to a
modified ASIMO that can perform bedroom tasks never envisaged by
its original makers, in Australia one inventor has already been granted
a patent 3 for a life-sized sex doll, complete with imitation skin, that is
fully controlled by a computer system. His invention was an object of
curiosity in New Scientist magazine:
You've heard of distance learning. Now it looks like distance sex is
on the way. Dominic Choy of Cammeray, New South Wales, wants
to replace real sex with an online robotic experience. He proposes
a lifelike flexible mannequin covered with imitation skin. Servo
motors move its limbs and other body parts in response to control
signals both from the Internet and from touch and sound sensors
on its body. Two people with matching mannequins connect over
the Internet, wearing virtual-reality visors so they can see and hear
each other. Couples can get together from opposite ends of the
2 See the section “Intelligent Sex Machines” earlier in this chapter.
3 Patent number WO 0059581.
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