Kemin Layout Torque Sensing to Build Robot Tactile Ability

Recently, Dr. Cao Longjun, co-founder of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Technology Development Research Institute (HK-AITRI), along with Liu Shuxiang and Jie Shengyong from the Digitalization and Robotics Special Committee of the Guangdong Food and Packaging Machinery Industry Association, visited the Kemin Sensing Technology Park and had in-depth discussions with Dr. Kong Weiting, founder of Kemin Sensing Group, on topics such as the industrialization of robot torque sensors, physical AI sensing closed-loop, and domestic sensing alternatives. Kemin Sensing has officially entered the field of robot torque sensors, laying out a product matrix of joint torque sensors, end six axis force sensors, and dexterous hand micro fingertip force sensors.

Torque sensors are the core tactile hardware for physical AI to achieve smooth interaction. They are divided into joint single axis torque sensors and end six axis force sensors, which can accurately capture push pull and twist signals during contact. The accuracy is far superior to motor current estimation schemes, supporting precision assembly, flexible polishing, human-machine safety interaction, drag and drop teaching and other scenarios.

Kemin has long been deeply involved in NTC temperature sensing and has mature automotive grade manufacturing capabilities. Its self-developed glass micro melted silicon strain process has outstanding advantages in creep, temperature drift, and overload resistance compared to traditional adhesive strain gauges. The enterprise will transfer its mass production experience to the field of force sensing, targeting the market of collaborative robots and humanoid dexterous hands, and tackling the localization of high-end torque sensors.

In the closed-loop of physical AI, force sensing signals complement industrial vision: vision completes target recognition and positioning, torque sensors perceive interaction force, and data is jointly input into the Agent Harness framework to enable AI to understand real physical constraints and achieve flexible operations. The current high-end force sensing products have long relied on overseas markets, which is a bottleneck in the robot industry chain. With the entry of Kemin, we provide the industry with cost-effective and stable domestic solutions, reducing the threshold for physical AI landing.

Force perception is an important foundation for the industrialization of physical AI, and HK-AITRI looks forward to collaborating with Kemin to achieve integrated verification of hardware, algorithms, and industrial scenarios. Dr. Kong Weiting also shared his research and development plan, relying on the advantages of mass production to create reliable domestic force sensing products.

From temperature sensing to cross-border force sensing, Kemin's layout is a microcosm of local sensing enterprises upgrading to high-end robot hardware. Physical AI requires visual and force sensing collaboration. Only with continuous breakthroughs in domestic perception hardware can robots break free from fixed point execution, achieve physical interaction that understands size and weight, and promote the large-scale implementation of industrial intelligence.

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Further Reading

HONG KONG ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (HK-AITRI) is affiliated with Hong Kong AI Technology Development Limited and was established by a group of scholars and industry practitioners dedicated to transforming industries with AI technology. The research institute is rooted in Hong Kong, building an AI industry laboratory and a collaborative platform between the institute and enterprises, aiming to fill the gaps in the manufacturing innovation system, create a multi-party collaborative innovation carrier, link various enterprises, universities, and government agencies, and jointly promote the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing industries. The research institute focuses on the practical application of physical AI and intelligent agents, and adopts a project-based approach to output research teams and cutting-edge AI technology capabilities, breaking down barriers between technology research and development and industry demand, helping physical enterprises achieve low-cost intelligent upgrades, and creating an industrial AI industry university research collaborative innovation platform for the Greater Bay Area.

Shenzhen Kemin Sensor Co., Ltd. was established in 2007. It is a high-tech enterprise and a specialized and innovative enterprise. With over 20 years of deep cultivation in precision sensing technology, it has built a dual core technology system of "thermal management sensing+high-end force sensing". The company specializes in a full range of sensing products including gold electrode NTC semiconductor chips, precision temperature sensors, gas sensors, and temperature and humidity sensors. It also has high-end force control products such as robot dexterous hand pressure sensors, six axis force sensors, torque sensors, and automotive EMB brake force sensors. It is one of the few domestic enterprises that simultaneously master the core technologies of new energy vehicle thermal management sensing, intelligent vehicle braking force sensing, and humanoid robot force control sensing. The company's products have multiple authoritative certifications such as UL, CQC, RoHS, REACH, etc., and are widely used in fields such as new energy vehicles, energy storage, rail transit, smart home appliances, humanoid robots, and advanced intelligent vehicles. They have long been core suppliers to leading enterprises such as BYD, CATL, SAIC, Xiaopeng, Ford, Volkswagen, and Toyota.