New ME-SOFS sensor lets soft robots sense touch and respond instantly without electronics, computers or external power.
Researchers have developed a soft mechanical force sensor that enables robots to detect touch and respond immediately without relying on electronics, computers, or external power.
The device, named ME-SOFS , transforms applied force directly into fluid flow, which activates soft robotic actuators and creates a fully mechanical sensing-to-action process. Made entirely from flexible, compliant materials, the system eliminates the need for conventional electronic sensors and control circuits, reducing complexity and potential failure points.
The innovation by a team from the College of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore could improve the performance of soft robots operating underwater, inside the human body, or in other extreme environments where electronic systems are vulnerable.is a 3D-printed, soft, porous structure designed to convert touch directly into mechanical action without electronic processing. It features a central pillar surrounded by five fluid-filled chambers, with four arranged horizontally and one vertically.
When force is applied, the pillar tilts toward the point of contact, compressing the corresponding chamber and pushing fluid through soft tubes to actuators. This creates an immediate sensing-to-action response, while each chamber operates independently to distinguish forces along horizontal, lateral, and vertical directions. NEO humanoid robot gets new hands with 25 degrees of freedom to build LEGO, catch balls The sensor’s sensitivity can be tailored for different applications by modifying the geometry of the 3D-printed structure.
Adjustments to parameters such as hole diameter, slope thickness, and the angle of the central foam allow the device to detect varying levels of force without changing its underlying operating principle. The sensor turns touch into motion without electronics, enabling simpler soft robots for harsh environments. Alongside its mechanical response, the system also produces a measurable electrical output using a passive circuit.
As fluid is displaced, it moves small magnets pastAccording to the team, the number of pulses corresponds directly to the applied force, providing a clear measurement without powered electronics. The fluid-based design also opens possibilities for robust tactile sensing and physical feedback in robotic systems operating in demanding environments.
“This work represents a striking example of how the physical body itself can produce sensory-motor behavior with no need for a control system, which we may see as an analogy to the nervous system in biology,” said Cecilia Laschi from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NUS CDE, in aME-SOFS’s versatility was demonstrated by integrating it into multiple soft robotic systems. A soft glove containing five miniaturized sensors, each about the size of a green pea, was 3D-printed as a single piece without manual assembly.
Worn on the hand, the glove measured grasping forces at each fingertip and accurately estimated the weight of objects, highlighting potential applications in prosthetics and advanced human-machine interfaces. The team also paired the sensor with a soft haptic pad worn on a user’s fingertips to create a touch-based feedback system.
Fluid pressure from a robotic gripper was transmitted directly to the pad, allowing an operator to judge grip strength by touch alone while handling objects ranging from fragile eggs to wooden blocks to partially filled water bottles. The recorded force patterns were later replayed to teach the robot to repeat successful grasping motions autonomously. The sensor also controlled liquid droplets in a miniature fluidic device and directed hair-like flexible structures without software.
It remained reliable in water temperatures up to 194 degree Fahrenheit and under pressures equivalent to about 36 feet underwater, while resisting electromagnetic interference because it contains no electronic components.applications. Researchers also aim to integrate the sensing-actuation loop directly into soft robots, enabling instinctive responses, while using its rich force signals to improve perception and interaction in complex environments. Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India.
Armed with a BA in History from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.
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