Giving Robots a Sense of Touch
Translating complex multimodal sensor data into intuitive interactive demo experience.
Project Overview
Tactile Demo
Tactile Intelligence Made Visible
This demo application showcases real-time tactile sensing using sensors developed by Analog Devices. Built to run live on the conference floor, the system visualizes pressure, contact, and force data from the sensor array, making invisible touch data immediately understandable to researchers, engineers, and industry leaders.
My Role
As the sole designer, I led the end-to-end UX strategy to translate complex hardware into a high-impact digital experience. I synthesized data from ~1,000 sensing points per finger into an intuitive visual language, collaborating with robotics engineers to sync the UI with real-time sensor behavior. I also partnered with stakeholders to architect the demo flow, ensuring the 3D visualization and motion design effectively communicated technical breakthroughs to both engineers and executives.
3
MAJOR CONFRENCES
10,000+
INTERACTIONS
Real Time
HARDWARE INTERACTION
3 months
TO SHIP
FULL WALKTHROUGH
See It In Action
Full application walkthrough recorded live at NVIDIA GTC. Watch the real-time tactile sensor system in operation — from setup to live interaction.
Video by Diana Wolf Torres, DROIDS — Watch on LinkedIn
Demo Highlights
Free Touch
[ 01 / 03 ]
Visualizing ~1,000 sensor points per finger in real time across pressure, shear, force, and vibration, mapped onto an interactive 3D hand model that conference attendees could rotate and explore on touchscreen.
AI Slip Prevention
[ 02 / 03]
The AI identifies changes in texture and uses that to detect slip before it happens. This section shows how efficiently the system responds, capturing slip onset in the shortest possible detection time across different surface materials.
AI Manipulation
[ 03 / 03 ]
Cable handling is one of the hardest benchmarks in robot dexterity. This section puts the AI's tactile advantage on trial: a direct comparison of cable manipulation with and without sensor support, alongside a live view into the 3 state AI engine driving every grasp decision.
Showcased At
Events / 2026
NVIDIA GTC
Presented live on the conference floor at one of the world's largest AI and robotics gatherings, reaching thousands of engineers and researchers.
ADI GTC
Showcased as part of Analog Devices' own technology conference, highlighting the sensor innovation pipeline and real-world applications.
Int'l Conference on Robotics & Automation
Demonstrated at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation — the field's premier academic and industry venue.
BEYOND THE DEMO
Tactile Studio
From Demo to Tool
Following the conference demos, I moved into designing the GUI for the commercial product, bringing the same visual language and interaction principles into a production-ready interface. This included aligning the design with ADI brand guidelines and covering the full product flow: device connection, sensor calibration, real-time visualization, and integration with their existing application ecosystem.
This project and the GUI are under NDA.