Roborganic

Interactive soft textile robot skin

Soft robotic skin offers a futuristic possibility, allowing for safer and more intuitive interactions that feel natural to humans. The flexible skin also enhance the robotic’s ability to exhibit advanced social behaviors, enriching user experiences.

Spotlight on the Robotics Industry

Nowadays, the main direction of robotics research is based on the human form, and robots rely on their sight and hearing to access the information, but their perception of the world is still limited compared to humans.

How can skin be a medium for robots to get and give feedback?
When robots are ‘skinned’ with soft materials, can they bring more interesting interaction and tactile experiences to humans?

Literature research and design development

Multi-layer material robotic skin design

After numberous research and discussions in robotics and humanistic technology development, we have designed a multi-layered robotic skin prototype. The surface is made from elastic, skin-like fabric, featuring specially patterned airbags sewn within. Beneath these airbags lie pressure sensors and motor mechanisms that simulate lifelike physiological rhythms.

Hardware, device structure and UX design

The design of robotic modelling lies somewhere between artefacts, living and non-living things. The pneumatic structure is partly made of anti-reflective acrylic for the installation, and the viewer is able to see the movement and sound of the machinery according to the frequency of the installation during its operation.

When not in contact with a user, the skin moves rhythmically on its own, mimicking its natural biological state. Upon touch, the airbags inflate, and the living rhythm accelerates, creating a dynamic tangible interaction that conveys basic emotional responses. This simple yet impactful experience implies the futuristic possibilities for human-robot interaction.

We hope the design will inspire futher developments in robotic skin technologies, paving the way for more empathetic and responsive robots in the future.