Meta is advancing the capabilities of robotic interaction by partnering with sensor firm GelSight and South Korean robotics company Wonik Robotics to commercialize cutting-edge tactile sensors for artificial intelligence (AI). This collaboration aims to enhance AI’s ability to perceive and interact with the physical world in more sophisticated ways, primarily targeting the scientific community rather than consumer markets.
The partnership will see GelSight working alongside Meta to bring Digit 360 to market, a successor to Meta’s original Digit sensor. Described by Meta as a “tactile fingertip with human-level multimodal sensing capabilities,” Digit 360 is designed to digitize touch signals using an on-device AI chip and approximately 18 sensing features. These features enable the sensor to detect subtle changes in its environment, capturing a wide range of tactile information. “We developed a touch-perception-specific optical system with a wide field of view for capturing omnidirectional deformations on the fingertip surface,” Meta explained in a recent blog post. Additionally, the sensor is equipped with multiple sensing modalities, allowing it to perceive vibrations, sense heat, and even detect odors based on the mechanical, geometrical, and chemical properties of surfaces it interacts with.
Digit 360 is slated for release next year, with Meta already launching a call for proposals to provide researchers with early access to the technology. This initiative is part of Meta’s broader vision to empower scientists with tools that enable AI systems to learn about the world in richer detail and better model complex physical environments.
In parallel, Meta is collaborating with Wonik Robotics to develop the next generation of the Allegro Hand, a robotic hand enhanced with tactile sensors similar to those found in Digit 360. Building on a platform Meta developed for integrating sensors into a single robotic hand, the new Allegro Hand will feature advanced control boards that encode tactile sensor data directly onto a host computer. This integration is expected to significantly improve the hand’s ability to perform delicate and precise tasks, further bridging the gap between human and robotic dexterity.
The Allegro Hand is also scheduled for release next year, complementing Digit 360’s capabilities and providing researchers with comprehensive tools to explore tactile sensing in robotics. By combining Meta’s sensor technology with Wonik Robotics’ expertise in robotic hand design, the partnership aims to create versatile and highly responsive robotic systems that can operate effectively in a variety of scientific and industrial applications.
Meta’s focus on developing tactile-sensing technologies underscores the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI and robotics. By enabling robots to “feel” their environment, Meta envisions a future where AI systems can interact with the physical world with the same level of nuance and sensitivity as humans. This advancement holds significant potential for applications ranging from scientific research and industrial automation to healthcare and beyond.
As Meta continues to innovate in the field of AI and robotics, the introduction of Digit 360 and the next-generation Allegro Hand represents a significant step forward. These technologies not only enhance the functional capabilities of robots but also open new avenues for research and development, fostering a deeper understanding of how AI can be integrated into complex, real-world environments.
The upcoming releases of Digit 360 and the Allegro Hand are highly anticipated within the scientific community, promising to provide researchers with the tools needed to explore new frontiers in AI-driven tactile perception. Meta’s strategic partnerships with GelSight and Wonik Robotics are poised to drive significant advancements in the field, positioning the company at the forefront of tactile-sensing technology and its applications in AI and robotics.