Tactile Perception in Robotic Control

Robotics is exponentially advancing towards horizons that were unthinkable until a few years ago. Over the past half-century, significant efforts have been made on the instrumentation of robotic hands and haptic devices. However, the integration of tactile perception and closed-loop algorithms for effective control of robotic end-effectors is still quite limited. The lack of such capabilities hinders robots from fully leveraging the potentiality of touch-based interactions with their surroundings and with human operators, reducing their adaptability and precision in complex tasks.

Robotic manipulation may be significantly improved through the effective integration of tactile sensors, which play a crucial role in enabling efficient closed-loop automatic, semi-automatic or teleoperated control strategies. Despite deep investigation, these sensors have faced challenges in achieving stable and reliable functioning when put to practical use. Advancements in tactile sensor technology and closed-loop control will lead to safer and more capable robotic systems, fostering progress across various application fields, including: healthcare, manufacturing, exploration and beyond. Addressing the practical challenges associated with tactile sensors is critical for advancing the field of robotics towards new frontiers.

The primary objective of the present Research Topic is to collect the most original contribution to the state of the art of tactile perception applied to the control of robotic end-effectors. Such contributions must hold the potential to enable advancements in robotic manipulation, human-robot interactions and other applications where the sense of touch plays a pivotal role. Authors are encouraged to submit both original research and review articles focusing on the following topics, but not limited to:

- Tactile sensing in robotic hands and prostheses

- Tactile sensing in industrial robotic grippers

- Tactile sensing in soft robotic end-effectors

- Haptic interfaces for robot control

- Real-time algorithms for tactile data processing

- Closed-loop control for robot manipulation

- Tactile perception in robot teleoperation

Keywords: Robotic hand, robotic end-effector, robotic manipulator, tactile sensors, prosthetic hand, haptic interface, closed-loop control

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.