Digital tactile sensors for robotics and pressure measurement

Pressure Profile Systems Inc. in Los Angeles is offering its proprietary tactile sensors as original equipment manufacturer products. Previously the company’s sensors had been available only in complete systems with analog-to-digital conversion hardware and display software tailed for test engineers. The DigiTacts sensors are based on capacitance, rather than resistance. They differ from earlier versions by providing direct digital outputs of 3.3 or 5 volts, rather than raw analog voltage levels. Applications are robotics such as robotic hands, as well as human-machine interaction devices where the reading of the pressure of the contract, not just that the contact was made, can add another dimension of information or control. The company also is offering an evaluation kit to help engineers come up to speed on capacitive tactile sensor performance for their applications. For more information contact Pressure Profile Systems online at www.pressureprofile.com.