How do you choose between contact and non-contact sensors for robotics?

Contact sensors need to touch things to work. For example, pressure sensors measure force and bumper switches detect collisions. They're precise but can wear out and have a limited reach. My idea is to make them last longer with tougher materials or use them with other sensors for better overall sensing.

Non-contact sensors measure from afar, like cameras using light or radars with radio waves. Great for navigation and spotting things without touching, they can see big areas and lots of details. They can get pricey and complex, and stuff like weather can mess with them. A future fix could be smarter software to handle these outside issues better.

When selecting between contact and non-contact sensors for robotics, several critical factors must be considered to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. These include the specific operating environment's characteristics, such as temperature and humidity, as well as the application's requirements in terms of precision, material compatibility, and reliability. Cost-effectiveness, ease of integration, and safety implications also play essential roles in the decision-making process. By carefully evaluating these factors, robotics engineers can choose the most suitable sensor type for their application, ultimately enhancing the overall performance and functionality of the robotic system.

Agricultural robots could use non-contact sensors like multispectral cameras to monitor crop health from a distance and contact sensors like soil probes to assess moisture levels directly. In medical robotics, non-contact sensors like ultrasound imaging devices help in diagnostics, while contact sensors could be used in prosthetics to provide feedback for grip control. In search and rescue operations, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras (non-contact) can locate people, while ground robots might use tactile sensors (contact) to move through debris safely.

Selecting the appropriate sensor type in robotics hinges on the task's nature. Contact sensors excel in applications demanding precise physical interaction, like delicate object manipulation, accurate pushing/pulling, and surface compliance detection. Conversely, non-contact sensors reign supreme in scenarios where physical contact is undesirable or unnecessary, such as object scanning and meticulous path planning. Critical applications like Robotic machining often necessitate the synergistic integration of both contact and non-contact sensors for optimal performance.

Robotics sensors can be touch or non-contact depending on measurement type, object features, ambient circumstances, accuracy requirements, and cost. Non-contact sensors measure distance, proximity, or temperature, while contact sensors directly measure position, force, or torque. Non-contact sensors are best for fragile or moving things, while contact sensors work for hard ones. Non-contact sensors are better for severe or dynamic situations since environmental factors can affect contact sensor durability and accuracy. Contact sensors provide great precision and resolution, but non-contact sensors may have latency. Initial investment, installation, maintenance, and downtime are costs. Integrating complexity is also important.