Robots 'Feel' Pain: New E-Skin Mimics Human Touch for Safety

• City University of Hong Kong developed NRE-skin, a neuromorphic electronic skin mimicking human pain sensation.
• NRE-skin converts physical touch into neural-like electrical signals, allowing robots to distinguish harmless from harmful contact.
• Features immediate reflexes: high-voltage signals bypass the central processor for rapid pull-back responses to prevent damage.
• Modular design enables easy replacement of damaged sections, improving maintenance and longevity.
• Crucial for robots interacting with humans (elder care, healthcare), enhancing safety for both machines and people.

Why It Matters: New e-skin gives robots human-like pain sensing and reflexes, boosting safety and interaction.