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New Fingertip Device Mimics Real-Life Touch for Remote Interactions

Developed by UCL researchers, the BAMH system offers potential applications in healthcare, social bonding, and hazardous material handling.

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The prosthetic allows the wearer to control the force applied when grasping fragile objects

Overview

  • The BAMH system uses vibrations to stimulate four key touch receptors in the skin, providing a realistic sense of touch.
  • Potential healthcare applications include diagnosing loss of touch sensitivity and improving robotic surgery techniques.
  • The device could enable remote tactile interactions, such as hand-holding, enhancing social bonding for people separated by distance.
  • Researchers are preparing clinical trials to study the device's effectiveness in diagnosing and tracking the progression of touch sensitivity loss.
  • Future advancements may include scaling the technology to full-hand gloves for more comprehensive applications in various fields.