Shape-shifting soft robots offer 16 ways to simulate human touch

Engineers at EPFL’s Reconfigurable Robotics Lab have developed "Digits," a modular, shape-shifting soft robotic system that delivers realistic human touch through 16 distinct haptic modes. Powered by compressed air, Digits uses flexible joints and rigid links to change shape and tactile feedback, enabling vibrations, stiffness modulation, and dynamic responses. Two prototypes—TangiGlove, an exoskeleton for the hand, and TangiBall, a handheld module—demonstrate the system’s versatility by morphing into multiple shapes and providing nuanced tactile cues. This approach bridges the gap in haptic realism by combining open-chain and closed-chain robotic configurations, allowing complex interactions such as grasping and pressing that most existing devices cannot replicate. The Digits system is designed for user-friendliness, integrating with the open-source Feelix platform, which employs machine learning to generate intuitive, real-time haptic feedback without requiring users to write code. The pneumatic actuation underlying Digits offers precise control over shape