The field of robotic manipulation is moving towards increased use of tactile sensing and multi-modal perception to improve performance in tasks such as grasping and manipulation of deformable objects. Researchers are developing new tactile sensing technologies, such as active acoustic sensing and high-resolution omnidirectional tactile sensors, to provide more accurate and robust state estimation. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards using machine learning and optimization techniques, such as reinforcement learning and multi-objective optimization, to improve the design and control of robotic systems. Notable papers include:
- VibeCheck, which demonstrates the use of active acoustic sensing for contact-rich manipulation, and
- PP-Tac, which presents a robotic system for picking up paper-like objects using tactile feedback in dexterous robotic hands.