Robots have been improving their abilities in seeing, hearing, and moving, but the sense of touch has always been lacking. At CES 2026, Ensuring Technology unveiled a new type of artificial skin that could potentially provide robots with a level of sensitivity similar to that of humans, allowing them to interact with the world in a more nuanced way.
The company introduced their latest tactile sensing technology, which is designed to enable robots to understand pressure, texture, and contact in a more sophisticated manner than traditional touch sensors. The spotlight was on two products called Tacta and HexSkin, both aiming to address a longstanding challenge in robotics.
Humans heavily rely on the sense of touch to manipulate objects, apply the right amount of force, and adjust instantaneously when necessary. In contrast, robots often lack this crucial feedback. Ensuring Technology aims to bridge this gap by simulating how human skin perceives and processes touch.
Empowering robots with a tactile sense
Tacta is a multi-dimensional tactile sensor specifically crafted for robotic hands and fingers. With 361 sensing elements per square centimeter, each sampling data at 1000Hz, the sensor boasts sensitivity comparable to that of human touch. Despite its high density, the sensor is only 4.5mm thick and integrates sensing, data processing, and edge computing into a single module.
During CES, Ensuring Technology demonstrated a robotic hand fully covered with Tacta, featuring 1,956 sensing elements distributed across the fingers and palm, effectively establishing a comprehensive network of tactile awareness.
HexSkin takes this concept further by extending touch capabilities over larger surfaces. Featuring a hexagonal, tile-like design, HexSkin can conform to complex curved shapes, making it suitable for humanoid robots.
CES 2026 has been filled with a variety of robots showcasing the rapid advancements in the field and the significance of enhanced touch sensitivity. From LG’s CLOiD home robot designed to assist with household tasks to humanoid robots showcasing impressive coordination in activities like tennis and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas demonstrating advanced balance and movement capabilities.
While these robots excel in vision and movement, they often lack the sense of touch that artificial skin could provide, potentially making them feel more human-like in their interactions.
