The bionic arm that restores the sense of touch to the people with an amputated limb has transcended the realm of science fiction and the stories about cyborgs. Scientists have taken a step further in implementing knowledge in the neurophysiology of human touch. In the near future, we will also be able to achieve touch via a mobile phone or tablet. It is only a matter of days that robots will start interacting with their environment only via touch. We talked with Dr Calogero Maria Oddo from Sant Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSA) in Pisa about the advance of the age of “artificial touch” and everything that it brings.
Dr Oddo is one of the world leading researchers in the field of neurorobotics, including implant devices, cybernetic prostheses and bio-mechatronic systems, artificial skin with tactile sensors, neurophysiology of human touch and tactile sensors integrated in the safe working environment of humans and machines. He is a professor of bioengineering at SantAnna School of Advanced Studies (SSSA) and the head of the Neuro-Robotic Touch Laboratory at the BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & A.I. in Italy.