Wearable Sensors
Conceived at
Harvard Robotics
Lab Measure
Hand Forces
FingerTPS™ Put
Comfortable Tactile Sensors
at Your Fingertips ... Literally
Pressure Profile Systems, Inc. (PPS),
had just released their innovative
new wireless Finger TPS™ (Finger
Tactile Pressure Sensing) system for
immediate sale worldwide. Finger TPS
sensors are soft, flexible sensors worn
on the hand that transmit accurate,
repeatable tactile force data to a PC
including their latest Smart robotic arm —
as the basis for many projects that rely
on the processing power of a PC. Both
CrustCrawler and Lynxmotion offer
PC-based software to control their arms,
and third party software is available,
as well.
Similarly, you needn’t start your
software designs from scratch or with a
huge budget. The entry-level versions of
the various Microsoft .Net compilers and
the MS Robotics Studio can be freely
downloaded. If you’re not a Microsoft
fan, there are dozens of software
options, from MatLab and Simulink
( www.mathworks.com) to open-source
compilers. If possible, leverage what’s
been done before and move to the next
level more quickly and easily. Just be sure
to return the favor and post your software
to the web – and consider sharing your
experience with SERVO readers.
I don’t want to discourage
mechanical engineers and engineers-in-training from tackling new hardware
designs. If you have a machine shop at
your disposal and the skill to use those
tools, then don’t hesitate. Everyone has
different goals and ideas of what they
want to get out of robotics. However, if
getting to the next level quickly on a
limited budget is your focus, then you
should at least consider focusing on the
brains — as opposed to the brawn — of
your robots. SV
via wireless Bluetooth connection.
Finger TPS tactile data with
integrated video provides a complete
representation of user interaction with
tools, sports equipment, new product
designs, and medical applications.
"The Finger TPS concept was
originally funded by DARPA research
grants to capture the forces of a
skilled surgeon for developing
virtual surgical simulation
systems. After a decade of
numerous iterations, we finally
have a system that is easy to
use," said Dr. Jae Son, CEO
of PPS.
The wireless Finger TPS
system was unveiled to the
public at the IVR Industrial
Virtual Reality Expo in Tokyo,
Japan this last June. "The
wireless capability and the
simple, one-touch calibration
were the most exciting features
among attending engineers and
researchers from hundreds of
leading firms," said David Ables,
CTO of PPS.
Finger TPS was recently
featured in programming on the
National Geographic Channel
and Fox Sports Net. Episodes of
"SportScience" and "FightScience"
called on PPS and industry
experts to scientifically explain
the performance of world-class
athletes including NFL Hall of
Fame receiver Jerry Rice, NBA
sharpshooter Jason Kapono,
and Mixed Martial Arts legend
Randy Coture.
"For elite athletes like Jerry
Rice or Jason Kapono, their
hands are their livelihood, and
they readily grasped how real-time
tactile data could help evaluate
and improve their performance,"
explained Ables.
Finger TPS systems start at a mere
$4,995 for a single-hand system with
two sensors that are available in
multiple sizes in specialized shapes
for fingers, thumbs, palms, and inner
phalanges. Finger TPS systems
also include a video camera for
synchronized video input, software,
and a reference sensor for easy,
one-touch calibration.
Pressure Profile Systems, Inc., was
founded in 1996 by two graduates
from the Harvard University Robotics
Lab. Government grants and industrial
sales have enabled PPS tactile sensing
technology development for medical
devices, industrial instruments, and
consumer electronics.
For more information, visit the PPS
website at ww.pressureprofile.com.
FAST FAQs
What is the maximum pressure range
that PPS sensors can reach?
PPS industrial sensors can reach pressure
ranges of up to 2,000 psi. However, currently
PPS can only guarantee factory calibration at
pressures up to 700 psi.
What is the maximum speed of the
PPS sensors?
TactArray systems have an element-to-element
scan speed of up to 10 kHz. Con Tacts systems
have a continuous analog output allowing any
sampling rate, but the sensors have a
throughput of approximately 2 kHz.
Of what materials are PPS
sensors made?
PPS sensors are made from conductive cloth
(conformable), Kapton (industrial), Lycra
(stretchable) or a combination of conductive
cloth and Kapton (hybrid).
What is the smallest element size
for PPS sensors?
Element sizes in TactArray sensor arrays can
be as small as 1mm x 2 mm, however, practical
resolution is actually much greater. PPS's
pressure-sensing technology allows accurate
pressure interpolation between sensing
elements. Single-element Con Tacts sensors
have been built as small as 5 mm x 5 mm.
Are PPS sensors waterproof?
PPS sensors are NOT waterproof, however,
PPS can provide removable waterproof
sheaths to protect the sensors or
complete encapsulation for more
rugged environments.
SERVO 08.2008 7
