Working beside a metal humanoid robot would probably make you watch every step it takes.After all, a collision between a heavy robot and a human body will usually end worse for the person.
Italian startup Generative Bionics believes its Gene.01 humanoid robot could help reduce that risk.The company covered the robot with sensor-filled skin that can detect a person approaching before physical contact occurs.The system also senses touch, temperature and force.
As a result, Gene.01 can gather information about what surrounds its body and what happens during an interaction.That sounds reassuring.
However, the real question is whether the sensors and control software can react quickly enough when people start working beside the robot.CyberGuy Live: Missed "Sick of Spam?" Get the replay and checklistOur free CyberGuy Live class "Sick of Spam?" has ended, but you can still watch the full replay and download our spam-stopping checklist.Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you step by step through simple ways to reduce robocalls, spam texts, junk email and unwanted messages.
You'll also learn how to curb political texts, clean up your inbox and spot messages that could put your personal information at risk.Get the free replay and checklist now at CyberGuyLive.com.WEARABLE PATCH VIBRATES WHEN DANGER IS NEARBYGene.01 uses sensor-filled skin across its body to detect nearby people before physical contact occurs.(Generative Bionics)Gene.01 carries distributed sensors across its torso and limbs.
The company says this smart skin detects touch, temperature, proximity and force at the same time.Proximity sensing gives the robot an early warning when someone enters the space around its body.The basic idea feels familiar.
You may feel heat near a stove and pull your hand away before touching the surface.In a similar way, Gene.01 can detect a nearby person before the person touches its sensor-covered body.
That information gives the robot's control system a chance to respond before co...