Close-up of the robotic hand with hydrogel skin - Photo: University of Cambridge
No longer just a movie, today’s robots are gradually becoming capable of sensing touch, temperature, and even injury. The goal is not to imbue robots with emotions, but to help them respond flexibly, learn from collisions, and assist humans more safely in real-world environments.
From science fiction to the lab: robots begin to "feel"
For many years, the idea of robots with tactile sensations was a film staple. In real life, the concept was considered unnecessary because robots are essentially emotionless tools. But that became a barrier when robots were used to assist humans in real-world settings.
In fact, when robots work in living spaces or hospitals, the lack of ability to react to unusual situations can lead to risks. This makes scientists start to ask the question again: should robots "feel" like humans to handle situations better?
To answer this, a team at the University of Cambridge and UCL has developed an artificial skin made from a conductive hydrogel that can mimic the way human skin transmits sensory signals. This skin allows robots to accurately register physical stimuli from the environment.
According to Tuoi Tre Online 's research, many other research centers are also pursuing this direction, such as the Max Planck Institute in Germany or Seoul National University, with soft skin technologies that can self-heal and create precise tactile feedback.
Tactile robots for smarter action
The feeling of pain in robots is not intended to replicate human emotions, but to serve a very practical purpose: to help robots respond more intelligently and safely during work. Integrating artificial skin that can detect impact force or abnormal temperature helps robots recognize when there is a risk of harm to themselves or to the people they are interacting with.
When robots are programmed to “sense pain,” they will adjust their force, change their position, or stop their operation if they notice anything unusual. This is extremely important in medical settings, where robots can assist patients or the elderly. A nursing robot with sensor skin will be gentler, knowing to “back off” if it encounters resistance, avoiding hurting the patient.
In the rescue field, the sense of temperature or vibration helps robots identify dangerous areas and quickly retreat. This technology is also expected to help people with disabilities: electronic skin attached to robotic arms helps them receive tactile feedback every time they move.
According to professor Fumiya Iida, the team's goal is to develop self-protective reflexes for robots, not to create emotions.
From Touch to Emotion: Where are the Technology Limits?
As robots begin to respond to pressure, temperature changes, or detect cuts, many are beginning to wonder: Are machines approaching the emotional realms that are uniquely human? While these reactions are entirely the result of programming, they increasingly resemble the way humans express pain, alertness, or fear.
It is this similarity that blurs the line between touch and emotion for users. If a robot looks human and retracts its hands when in danger, users are more likely to feel emotionally attached, even understood.
In areas like mental health, early childhoodeducation , or customer service, this can be a tool for building empathy. But it also risks creating the illusion that robots actually have emotions, leading to dependency or misunderstanding of the technology.
Scientists emphasize that robots do not actually feel pain , have no consciousness or emotions. All behavior is just a response to pre-designed rules. The problem is that humans can interpret those responses as emotional expressions, and that is a technological limitation that society needs to talk about more clearly in the near future.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/robot-biet-dau-nhu-con-nguoi-nho-da-nhan-tao-20250717102826532.htm
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