Vishay Precision Group Highlights Force and Torque Sensing for Next-Generation Humanoid Robots

Vishay Precision Group is demonstrating custom force and torque sensing solutions designed to support humanoid robots operating in dynamic industrial and shared environments. The company emphasizes that precise physical feedback from integrated sensors is essential for humanoid robots to safely interact with unpredictable situations and human workers. VPG's approach addresses limitations of standard off-the-shelf sensors by providing custom-built solutions that minimize size and power consumption while maximizing measurement accuracy.

Humanoid robots operating in dynamic environments require continuous, accurate feedback from their mechanical systems to function safely around human workers and unpredictable conditions. Unlike stationary industrial robots confined to fixed pathways, humanoid machines must navigate changing spaces while managing varying loads and multiple contact points simultaneously. This demands sensing capabilities embedded within the robot's physical structure rather than added as aftermarket components.

Standard commercial sensors present significant limitations for robotics applications, including oversized form factors that incompatibly constrain limb design, insufficient measurement precision due to overly broad ranges, and lack of environmental compensation for temperature fluctuations and vibration inherent in compact joints. VPG addresses these constraints through custom strain gauge-based solutions integrated directly into mechanical components, enabling precise multi-axis measurements with minimal size and power overhead.