Integration of Soft Tactile Sensing Skin with Controllable Thermal Display toward Pleasant Human-Robot Interaction

Safe and pleasant physical human-robot interaction (pHRI) is essential in the robotic skin and related control paradigms. Among approaches, integrating tactile sensing and thermal techniques enables the robot to provide pleasant and gentle touch perceptions, thus enhancing likability and trustworthiness during interactions with humans. However, achieving both accurate tactile sensing and desired thermal comfort perceptions poses significant challenges. In response to these challenges, this paper presents the development of a novel soft skin named Thermo Tac. This innovative skin not only possesses the ability to sense physical touches effectively but also provides thermal comfort sensations. The integration of these capabilities is realized through a carefully designed and strategic system. The developed skin is integrated with vision-based tactile sensing and water circulation systems to evaluate its performance and effectiveness in realistic interaction scenarios. The results of the experiments highlight the potential of ThermoTac as a promising solution for safe and stable human-robot interaction, paving the way for advanced tactile sensing and thermal comfort in robotics.