An octopus-sucker inspired triboelectric self-decoupling three-axis force-sensing strategy (IMAGE)
Caption
Approximately one-third of fresh fruit is lost along the supply chain, with harvesting and grading representing major sources of loss. Inspired by the deformation mechanism of octopus suckers, the researchers developed a soft robotic gripper integrated with three-axis triboelectric tactile sensors. The system independently resolves normal and tangential forces and, within a single picking cycle, simultaneously assesses fruit firmness, enables damage-free harvesting, and measures fruit weight. Field trials demonstrated the feasibility of integrating non-destructive harvesting with in-field quality grading, offering a new pathway to reduce post harvest losses, streamline fresh-produce supply chains, and improve operational efficiency.
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Nano Research, Tsinghua University Press
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