Custom Strain Gauge Sensors for Humanoid Robotics

Robotics Solutions From The Name
That means Precision

Humanoid robots robots require highly accurate and responsive sensing to walk, grip, balance, and interact with the world. This site explores how custom strain gauge sensors solve challenges off-the-shelf solutions cannot—boosting performance and enabling the next generation of intelligent systems. 

Sensor Precision and Accuracy

Achieving high precision and accuracy in force and torque measurements is crucial for robotic applications, especially in tasks that require delicate manipulation or interaction with the environment.

Integration Complexity

Integrating force and torque sensors
seamlessly into robotic systems can be complex. Ensuring
compatibility with existing robotic hardware and control systems
while maintaining a compact and lightweight design is a challenge.

Environmental Variability

Robots often operate in diverse and
unpredictable environments. Force and torque sensors must be
robust enough to withstand variations in temperature, humidity,
and other environmental conditions without compromising
accuracy or reliability.

Dynamic Environments

Robotics involves dynamic movements
and interactions. Force and torque sensors must respond
quickly and accurately to sudden changes in force or torque,
providing real-time feedback to the control system for dynamic
control and adaptability.

Cost Considerations

High-quality force and torque sensors
can be expensive, impacting the overall cost of robotic systems.
Balancing the need for precision with cost-effectiveness is a
challenge, especially in applications where multiple sensors are
required.

Sensor Interference

Sensors may be susceptible to interference
from other electronic components or external sources,
potentially affecting the accuracy of force and torque measurements.
Robust shielding and signal processing techniques are
essential to mitigate interference.

Durability and Reliability

Robotic systems may experience
wear and tear over time due to continuous operation. Ensuring
the durability and long-term reliability of force and torque
sensors is essential to maintain consistent performance
throughout the robot's lifecycle.

Adaptability to Different Robot Configurations

Robots come in various configurations and designs. Force and torque sensors
should be adaptable to different robot types and structures, allowing
for easy integration into diverse robotic platforms.

Real-time Data Processing

Processing and interpreting force and torque data in real-time present computational challenges.
Efficient algorithms and computing resources are needed to
extract meaningful information from the sensor data promptly.

Safety Standards Compliance

Meeting safety standards is critical, especially in collaborative robot applications where robots
work alongside humans. Ensuring that force and torque sensors
meet industry safety requirements is essential to prevent accidents
and ensure user safety. Addressing these challenges requires
collaboration between sensor manufacturers, robotic engineers, to
develop innovative solutions that enhance the capabilities and
reliability of force and torque sensing in robotics.

Micro-Measurements strain
gauge-based force and torque sensors
in robotics applications offer many advantages

High Accuracy
Strain gauge-based sensors provide high-precision measurements,
making them suitable for applications where accurate force
and torque data are critical, such as delicate manipulation tasks
and force control.

Wide Measurement Range
These sensors can be designed to accommodate a wide range of
force and torque levels, allowing for versatility in robotic applications.
From subtle interactions to high-force tasks, strain gauge
sensors can be tailored to meet specific requirements.

Customizability

Strain gauge-based sensors can be customized in terms of size,
shape, and sensitivity to fit the specific needs of different robotic
systems. This adaptability makes them suitable for a variety of
robotic configurations and applications.
In Humanoid robots, each sensor has its own special characteristic
that need to be fulfilled, is size and capacity as well as fitting into
small and confide spaces.

Compact Design
The compact size and lightweight nature of strain gauge sensors
make them well-suited for integration into robotic systems without
adding significant weight or bulk. This is crucial for maintaining the
agility and efficiency of robotic movements.

The Micro-Measurements Full Bridge solution is ideal in providing
accurate signal with a minimal sensor footprint.

Real-time Feedback
Strain gauge sensors can provide real-time feedback on force and
torque, enabling robots to adjust their movements dynamically.
This feature is valuable for tasks that require immediate responses
to changes in the environment or load conditions. Linearity, repeatability
and stability are the core parameters of the strain gage
based sensor.

Durability
Strain gauge sensors are often built to be robust and durable, with
the ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions and repetitive
use. This durability is essential for the longevity of robotic
systems in industrial settings. Micro-Measurements Strain Gage
based solutions are used in this industry for many years, with
proven records for long terms sensors stability unparalleled by any
other technology.

Cost-effectiveness
Compared to some alternative sensor technologies, strain
gauge-based sensors can offer a cost-effective solution for force
and torque sensing in robotics. This makes them accessible for a
broader range of applications and industries.
Compatibility with Materials:
Strain gauges can be bonded to various materials, including
metals and composite materials commonly used in robotics. This
flexibility in material compatibility enhances the ease of integration
into different robotic structures.

Low Inertia
The low mass and inertia of strain gauge sensors contribute to the
overall efficiency of robotic systems. They don't significantly
impede the robot's movements or responsiveness, making them
suitable for high-speed and dynamic applications.

Proven Technology
Strain gauge technology has been widely used and tested in
various engineering applications, establishing its reliability and
credibility. This track record makes strain gauge-based force and
torque sensors a trusted choice for robotics applications.

Precision and Accuracy

Strain gauges offer high precision and
accuracy in measuring mechanical deformations, allowing for
precise control of joint movements in humanoid robots. This accuracy
is essential for achieving natural and human-like motions.

Real-time Feedback

Strain gauge sensors provide real-time
feedback on the strain or deformation experienced by the actuator.
This feedback enables closed-loop control systems, allowing
the robot to adjust its movements dynamically based on the external
forces or changes in the environment.

Force Sensing

Strain gauges can be used to measure the force
applied to or exerted by the actuator. This force sensing capability
is valuable for tasks that require interaction with the environment
or objects, such as grasping and manipulation.

Torque Sensing

Humanoid robots often require precise control
of joint torques to execute coordinated movements. Strain
gauges integrated into the actuators can measure the torque
applied at the joints, contributing to better control and coordination.

Compliance and Safety

Strain gauge-based sensors allow for
the implementation of compliance in robotic joints. This compliance
enables safer interactions with humans and the environment
by providing a certain level of flexibility and shock absorption,
reducing the risk of injury during physical contact.

Dynamic Load Sensing

Humanoid robots may encounter dynamic
and variable loads during operation. Strain gauges can
dynamically sense and respond to changes in load, ensuring that
the actuators adjust to varying conditions for optimal performance.

Monitoring Structural Integrity

Strain gauges can be used to
monitor the structural integrity of the robot's components, detecting
any signs of fatigue, wear, or potential failure. This proactive
monitoring enhances the overall reliability and durability of humanoid
robot actuators.

Optimizing Energy Efficiency

By providing real-time feedback on the forces and deformations experienced by the actuators,
strain gauges contribute to optimizing energy efficiency. This
feedback allows for more efficient control strategies, minimizing
energy consumption while maintaining performance.

Adaptability to Different Tasks

Strain gauge-based sensors make humanoid robot actuators adaptable to a wide range of
tasks. Whether the robot is performing precise and delicate
movements or exerting force for manipulation, the strain gauge
feedback ensures that the actuator can adjust its behavior accordingly.

Research and Development

Strain gauge-based sensors facilitate research and development in robotics by providing valuable
data for analyzing and improving the performance of humanoid
robot actuators. Researchers can use this data to refine control
algorithms and enhance the overall capabilities of the robot.