Page 323 - Concise Encyclopedia of Robotics

TACTILE SENSING T
The term tactile sensing refers to various electromechanical methods of
simulating the sense of human touch. These include the abilities to sense
and measure pressure, linear force, torque, temperature, and surface
texture. Some roboticists consider tactile sensors second in importance
only to vision systems.
The following entries contain information about tactile sensing and re-
lated subjects: BACK PRESSURE SENSOR, DISPLACEMENT TRANSDUCER, ELASTOMER, EYE-IN-HAND
SYSTEM, FEEDBACK, FINE MOTION PLANNING, GRASPING PLANNING, JOINT-FORCE SENSING, POSITION
SENSING, PRESSURE SENSING, PROPRIOCEPTOR, PROSTHESIS, TEMPERATURE SENSING, TEXTURE SENS-
ING, and WRIST-FORCE SENSING.

TANGENTIAL FIELD
See POTENTIAL FIELD.

TASK ENVIRONMENT
The term task environment refers to the characteristics of the space where
a robot, or a group of robots, operates. The task environment is also called
the world space. The nature of the task environment depends on many fac-
tors that often interact. Some things that affect the task environment are
• The nature of the work the robot(s) must do
• The design of the robot(s)
• The speed at which the robot(s) work
• How many robots are in the area
• Whether or not humans work with the robot(s)
• Whether or not dangerous materials are present
• Whether or not any of the work is hazardous
An autonomous robot can benefit from a computer map of its task environ-
ment. This will minimize unnecessary movements, and will reduce the


Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click Here for Terms of Use.