A team of researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has created an artificial sensory nervous system for robots that can differentiate safe touches from potentially harmful ones, mimicking the behavior of living organisms. This was reported by Interesting Engineering.

This technology is based on a neuromorphic semiconductor—a new type of memristor that can respond to external stimuli without the need for complex software or high computational power.

In animals and humans, familiar stimuli, such as the sound of an air conditioner or the feel of clothing on the body, are ignored over time, while new or dangerous signals, like a sudden touch or pain, provoke an immediate response. This mechanism is regulated through two processes: habituation (diminishing response to repeated safe stimuli) and sensitization (enhancing response to threatening stimuli). The KAIST team has successfully recreated these mechanisms in an electronic form.

The innovation lies in the unique design of the new memristor. Unlike previous models that could only change conductivity in one direction, this device includes an additional internal layer that allows conductivity to change in the opposite direction. Consequently, the memristor can reduce sensitivity to repeated touches while quickly activating in response to painful signals.

To test the development, researchers installed the system in an artificial hand. Initially, it reacted to every touch. Over time, if touches were repeated without threat, the response decreased. However, when the same touches were coupled with an electric current, the hand became highly sensitive again.

This breakthrough demonstrates that artificial nervous systems can be compact, energy-efficient, and operate without complex software, paving the way for a new era of robotics.