Tech Universe: Wednesday 6 July

Scientists are developing sensor-laced skins to allow robots to 'feel' by touch. Photo / Thinkstock

TOUCHY ROBOT: Scientists at the Technical University of Munich want to give robots an artificial skin that can act as a tactile sensor. Hexagonal circuit boards each contain four infrared sensors that detect anything closer than 1 centimetre, simulating touch. Six temperature sensors and an accelerometer increase the range of sensitivity. The sensor plates are linked together in a pattern like a honeycomb. It's just like smart chainmail really.
Eurekalert.org has more.

SENSITIVE TOY: A researcher at Wellington's Victoria University has created a special mechanised toy designed to help autistic children learn how to play well. Auti, the possum fur covered prototype, includes sensors and a computer program. The toy shuts down in response to negative behaviours like hitting or screaming, but responds to any positive interaction. Tests so far show kids like the toy. Imagine if guns had a controller to shut-down if the user was too aggressive! More details here.

AMAZING CANE: The Yissum Research Development Company in Israel has devised a virtual cane for visually impaired people. The user points a handheld device in the direction they're walking. Sensors inside the device extrapolate distance and height of nearby objects from
reflections of an invisible beam. The cane provides feedback to the
user through vibrations. A prototype has worked well for users navigating a maze in the dark. They couldn't find any blind users to test it? Fast Company has more, and there's video here.

SPAM, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT: Researchers say that traditional spam no longer pays what it used to so email spam volume is dropping. Spam-sending botnets are being shut down and high-profile arrests are proving a deterrent. But now email spam is being increasingly used to deliver malicious payloads rather than just to sell pharmaceuticals. And in worse news: the spammers are moving on to other delivery channels, such as hacked web sites, Twitter and Facebook. So, spam still does pay after all. IT World has more.

- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz