We are proud to announce that INESC MN is a partner in the MagTecSkin project, a pioneering initiative led by Lorenzo Jamone (University College London).

Funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), this project aims to develop a novel tactile-sensitive electronic skin based on magnetic technology, enabling robots to achieve unprecedented levels of dexterity.

Current robotic skins struggle to bend and stretch, limiting their ability to cover complex surfaces such as finger joints and soft robotic structures. MagTecSkin will overcome these challenges by creating an innovative magnetic-based skin that can measure 3D contact forces at multiple points, while also being flexible and adaptable to different robotic designs.
This breakthrough will pave the way for fully articulated and soft robots, significantly enhancing their capabilities in manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, healthcare, and beyond.

The project is supported by ARIA, an agency dedicated to empowering scientists and engineers with the freedom to pursue breakthroughs at the edge of the possible. ARIA funds ambitious projects with the potential for massive social and economic impact, embracing risk as a necessary step toward transformative innovation.

INESC MN will collaborate with University College London, Imperial College London, and Universidad de O’Higgins, bringing its expertise in microsystems and nanotechnologies to help shape the future of robotic tactile sensing.