‘Smart foam’ could give machines a sense of touch

As smart as machines have become, they still don’t have a human’s ability to feel. However, a team of researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have invented a “smart foam” that they believe can give machines a sense of touch. Artificially innervated foam, or AiFoam, which is soft and feels like a sponge, mimics the sense of touch and can even sense a nearby object without actually touching it. According to a report from the university, AiFoam is the first smart foam that performs these functions simultaneously, potentially making robots more intelligent and interactive. The surfactant within the foam also enables it to self-heal after being cut, making it ideal for use in prosthetics. The breakthrough material was developed over two years by a team led by assistant professor Benjamin Tee. Photo: National University of Singapore (NUS).