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JRM Vol.38 No.3 pp. 704-712
(2026)

Paper:

Performance Evaluation of an Optical Tactile Force Sensor Using Transparent Flexible Resin

Masanori Goka and Yoshifumi Matsumoto

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Fukuyama University
1 Sanzo, Gakuen-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 729-0292, Japan

Received:
December 15, 2025
Accepted:
March 5, 2026
Published:
June 20, 2026
Keywords:
optical tactile force sensor, photoreflector, transparent flexible resin, slip detection
Abstract

This study aims to enhance tactile sensing for practical robotic applications by enabling the acquisition of dynamic contact information in optical tactile sensors. Conventional optical tactile sensors measure displacement and torque with high precision by detecting the deformation of transparent flexible resin using photoreflectors; however, they do not fully exploit information from minute vibrations or dynamic contact events. In this work, we propose a lightweight, low-cost, and robust optical tactile sensor capable of texture recognition and slippage detection without relying on acceleration sensors or piezoelectric elements, offering a simpler and more durable alternative to conventional high-definition camera-based approaches.

Prototype optical tactile force sensor

Prototype optical tactile force sensor

Cite this article as:
M. Goka and Y. Matsumoto, “Performance Evaluation of an Optical Tactile Force Sensor Using Transparent Flexible Resin,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.38 No.3, pp. 704-712, 2026.
Data files:
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Last updated on Jun. 19, 2026