Digit 360 deepens GelSight and Meta AI’s existing partnership and fosters a community-driven approach to robotics research

Waltham, Mass. – October 31, 2024 – GelSight, a pioneer in tactile intelligence technology, and Meta AI today announced Digit 360, an artificial fingertip-shaped tactile sensor that delivers rich and detailed tactile data by digitizing touch with human-level precision. Digit 360 will expand the field of tactile sensing research and signifies the next stage of the partnership between GelSight and Meta AI, established with the launch of the Digit tactile sensor in 2021.

Digit 360 is a fingertip-shaped tactile sensor equipped with over 18 sensing features, which will enable advancements in touch perception research and allow researchers to either combine its various sensing technologies or isolate individual signals for in-depth analysis of each modality. This new tactile specific optical lens can see the imprints all around the artificial fingertip, capturing more sensitive details about the surface touching the object. Over time, researchers can use Digit 360 to develop AI that can better understand and model the real world, including the physicality of objects, human-object interaction, and contact physics. Digit 360 significantly surpasses previous sensors, detecting miniature changes in spatial details, and captures forces as small as 1 millinewton. 

Digit 360 leverages GelSight’s digital tactile sensing technology, which offers superhuman sensitivity and micron-level resolution. GelSight’s unique elastomeric and imaging-based tactile sensing solution digitizes the sense of touch, enabling robotic engineers to develop solutions for analysis of any surface regardless of material type or reflectivity, complex object manipulation, and many other dexterous tasks.Digit 360 leverages GelSight’s digital tactile sensing technology, which offers superhuman sensitivity and micron-level resolution. GelSight’s unique elastomeric and imaging-based tactile sensing solution digitizes the sense of touch, enabling robotic engineers to develop solutions for analysis of any surface regardless of material type or reflectivity, complex object manipulation, and many other dexterous tasks.

“GelSight and Meta AI share the same vision to make tactile sensing more ubiquitous and accessible,” said Youssef Benmokhtar, CEO of GelSight. “Digit 360 will advance the digitization of touch and unlock new applications in robotics with its ability to capture omnidirectional deformations on the fingertip surface.”“GelSight and Meta AI share the same vision to make tactile sensing more ubiquitous and accessible,” said Youssef Benmokhtar, CEO of GelSight. “Digit 360 will advance the digitization of touch and unlock new applications in robotics with its ability to capture omnidirectional deformations on the fingertip surface.”

Beyond advancing robot dexterity, this breakthrough sensor has potential applications in medicine, prosthetics, virtual reality, telepresence and more. For virtual worlds, Digit 360 can help better ground virtual interactions with the environment to more realistic representations of object properties beyond their visual appearances. All code and designs developed using Digit 360 will be open-sourced by Meta AI. Beyond advancing robot dexterity, this breakthrough sensor has potential applications in medicine, prosthetics, virtual reality, telepresence and more. For virtual worlds, Digit 360 can help better ground virtual interactions with the environment to more realistic representations of object properties beyond their visual appearances. All code and designs developed using Digit 360 will be open-sourced by Meta AI.

“Since launching Digit in 2021 with GelSight, we’ve observed that every touch interaction has a unique profile produced by the mechanical, geometrical, and chemical properties of a surface,” said Jitendra Malik, Research Scientist Director, FAIR at Meta. “By leveraging multimodal signals, Digit 360 can act as a peripheral nervous system on a robot and will help scientists advance their research to build AI that can learn richer world models.”“Since launching Digit in 2021 with GelSight, we’ve observed that every touch interaction has a unique profile produced by the mechanical, geometrical, and chemical properties of a surface,” said Jitendra Malik, Research Scientist Director, FAIR at Meta. “By leveraging multimodal signals, Digit 360 can act as a peripheral nervous system on a robot and will help scientists advance their research to build AI that can learn richer world models.”

GelSight will manufacture and distribute Digit 360, targeting wide availability next year. Members of the research community can apply to Digit 360 call for proposals to gain early access.GelSight will manufacture and distribute Digit 360, targeting wide availability next year. Members of the research community can apply to Digit 360 call for proposals to gain early access.

To learn more about GelSight, please visit https://gelsight.com/.

About GelSight
GelSight is a pioneer in digital, imaging-based tactile intelligence. The proprietary technology that was invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides extremely detailed and rapid surface characterization, enabling several surface measurement applications and robotic sensing capabilities. Its elastomeric 3D imaging systems are currently in use in aerospace, automotive, forensics and in many robotic research labs throughout the world. GelSight is Digital Touch and Feel. For more information, please visit https://gelsight.com/.

Media Contacts

Brandon Reid for GelSight
bwr@anzupartners.com

New solution combines GelSight tactile sensors with Flexxbotics robot-driven manufacturing for nondestructive testing

Waltham, Mass. – September 5, 2024 – GelSight, a pioneer in tactile intelligence technology,  today announced a new partnership with Flexxbotics, a company delivering digital solutions for robot-driven manufacturing at scale, to provide a joint solution for robot-enabled nondestructive testing (NDT) with autonomous process control. The joint solution incorporates GelSight’s tactile sensing technology into Flexxbotics for advanced robotic machine tending with highly precise quality inspection and digital thread traceability that reduces time-to-inspect by 40% or more.

Next generation smart factories – in aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive, and other industries where measurement accuracy is critical in tight tolerance processing – can now utilize industrial robots and collaborative robots to dramatically speed up inspection processes, increase throughput, and improve margins. GelSight’s unique technology uses 3D imaging to map surface finish and defects on any material, anywhere at the micron level. By robot-enabling GelSight’s tactile sensing devices with Flexxbotics, companies can rapidly perform hundreds of precision measurements during processing on the production line, as opposed to transporting parts to utilize specialized lab equipment or relying on outside laboratory services.

Flexxbotics provides interoperable communication between the robots and GelSight devices to coordinate the entire process and connect directly with existing business systems in the plant including the CAD/PLM, QMS, IIoT and others for closed-loop quality compliance. Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) for each part is automatically fed by Flexxbotics directly into the robot and GelSight programs assuring critical characteristic measurement integrity with inspection results collected for nonconformance tracking and analysis. Optionally, data can transfer to quality repositories and MES systems of record. Flexxbotics also sends defect alerts via text and email with prior operations receiving escalations for root cause identification and processing corrections based on autonomous process control instructions from Flexxbotics.

“Together GelSight and Flexxbotics provide a new level of inspection productivity, scrap reduction, and cost savings powered by tactile sensing and production robotics,” said GelSight CEO Youssef Benmokhtar. “Now, even the most challenging aspects to dimensionally measure accurately can be consistently inspected in a fraction of the time using robotics.”

“We believe robot-driven manufacturing is the future, and our partnership with GelSight combines some of the most advanced automated inspection capabilities on the planet with Flexxbotics production robotic orchestration for next level factory autonomy,” explained Tyler Bouchard, CEO & Co-founder of Flexxbotics. “Using GelSight tactile sensing to inspect during production enables robots to achieve micron-scale measurement accuracy, bringing autonomous process control with Flexxbotics to the most complex geometry parts.”

To learn more, visit the GelSight booth at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2024) from September 9-14, 2024 in Chicago IL, USA: McCormick Place, East Building, Level 3 — 134260 — Quality Assurance

Additional information on GelSight’s suite of tactile intelligence solutions is available online at https://gelsight.com/products/. For more information on Flexxbotics solutions for robot-driven manufacturing, visit https://flexxbotics.com/solutions/.

About GelSight
GelSight is a pioneer in digital, imaging-based tactile intelligence. The proprietary technology that was invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides extremely detailed and rapid surface characterization, enabling several surface measurement applications and robotic sensing capabilities. Its elastomeric 3D imaging systems are currently in use in aerospace, automotive, forensics and in many robotic research labs throughout the world. GelSight is Digital Touch and Feel. For more information, please visit https://gelsight.com/.

About Flexxbotics
Flexxbotics enables robot-driven manufacturing at scale. Flexxbotics solution digitalizes robotic production with autonomous process control for next generation smart factory environments. Flexxbotics breakthrough, the unique FlexxCORE™ technology, seamlessly connects and coordinates robots with existing automation equipment, IT systems and people. More powerful, flexible and open, Flexxbotics revolutionizes the use of robotics in complex production. Visit www.flexxbotics.com to learn more and follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

Brandon Reid for GelSight
bwr@anzupartners.com

Josef de Pfeiffer for Flexxbotics
josef@orlovnjak.com

New solution combining GelSight tactile sensors with PragmaFlex device and Pragma3D software enables advanced 3D surface scanning and data fusion for nondestructive evaluation

Waltham, Mass. – June 13, 2024 – GelSight, a pioneer in tactile intelligence technology, today announced a new partnership with PRAGMA, a leader in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) 4.0 technologies, to provide integrated solutions to the nondestructive testing (NDT) market. The joint solution incorporates GelSight’s tactile sensing technology directly into the PragmaFlex instrument platform, which is embedded with Pragma3D software, to provide more in-depth data and analysis of surface characteristics for NDE.

GelSight’s unique technology uses 3D imaging to map surface finish and defects of any material, anywhere at the micron level. By integrating GelSight’s tactile sensing technology directly with the 3D position encoding capabilities of the PragmaFlex platform, it provides users with a comprehensive view of the valuable information they need when inspecting parts and surfaces. From there, the Pragma3D software allows for data fusion with ultrasound, eddy current scans, optical 3D scans, CAD, and more.

“We are excited about how this new integrated solution will improve fully automated NDT workflows,” said GelSight CEO Youssef Benmokhtar. “By combining GelSight tactile sensors with the PragmaFlex platform, users now have access to micrometer-level measurement data that can be fused with data from different modalities for deeper surface inspection and analysis.”

PragmaFlex is the world’s first portable NDE 4.0 instrument platform, running Pragma3D software. The platform can support one or two of several NDT modalities, including ultrasonic testing, phased array ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, eddy current arrays, and bond testing. Pragma3D also unlocks a new revolution in NDT, as it opens the door to free-form 3D scanning with data fusion of multiple modalities. It powers various levels of inspection processes, from manual testing to fully automated inspections with robots and cobots.  

“Since PRAGMA is committed to 3D, multi-modality, and data fusion, incorporating GelSight’s tactile sensing technology into our ecosystem feels like a natural extension of the PragmaFlex platform,” said François Mainguy, President and CEO of PRAGMA. “NDT requires advanced insights on surface characteristics and by partnering with GelSight, we are offering users incredibly detailed data to help them make more informed decisions.”

To learn more about GelSight’s suite of tactile intelligence solutions, please visit https://www.gelsight.com/products/. For more information on the PragmaFlex platform, please visit https://pragmandt.com/product-pragmaflex/.

About GelSight
GelSight is a pioneer in digital, imaging-based tactile intelligence. The proprietary technology that was invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides extremely detailed and rapid surface characterization, enabling several surface measurement applications and robotic sensing capabilities. Its elastomeric 3D imaging systems are currently in use in aerospace, automotive, forensics and in many robotic research labs throughout the world. GelSight is Digital Touch and Feel. For more information, please visit https://gelsight.com/. 

About PRAGMA
PRAGMA designs, manufactures, and distributes portable instruments and integrated systems for nondestructive testing of materials. Its manual and automated solutions are used to inspect a wide range of metal and composite parts, to check for material properties and flaws in industries like aerospace, automotive, and oil & gas. PRAGMA is a leader in NDE 4.0 technologies.  You can read more by visiting www.pragmandt.com.

Media Contacts

Brandon Reid for GelSight
bwr@anzupartners.com

Formal reseller agreement and partnership will lead to comprehensive, integrated manufacturing and surface inspection solutions leveraging GelSight and Hexagon technologies

Waltham, Mass. – February 7, 2024 – GelSight, a pioneer in tactile intelligence technology, today announced a global partnership agreement with Hexagon, a global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software, and autonomous technologies. The partnership will enable the companies’ respective teams to promote and sell GelSight’s tactile sensing products, as well as future integrated products to the market.

Following GelSight’s win at Hexagon’s second Sixth Sense open innovation platform last year, GelSight and Hexagon have now established this global reseller agreement for GelSight’s product line, including the GelSight Mobile and GelSight Max. The formal partnership and collaboration between GelSight and Hexagon will also accelerate the time to market for future products that offer more complete solutions to pressing manufacturing issues, such as the shortage of qualified labor.

Hexagon’s vast portfolio of metrology technologies measure the dimensions or digitize the surface to inform quality, maintenance processes and smart manufacturing. GelSight provides complementary digital touch technology that can characterize surface roughness and measure defects such as scratches and dents with micron-level resolution. GelSight’s technology is well suited to operate in uncontrolled lighting environments that rely heavily on manual inspection by line workers, especially with traditionally difficult-to-characterize materials like glass and highly reflective metals.

“GelSight’s products and technologies are complementary to Hexagon’s, which makes selling bundles and integrated products a natural fit in order to enable unique solutions that few on the market can match,” said Youssef Benmokhtar, CEO at GelSight. “We know that customers are looking for comprehensive solutions to solve common manufacturing and surface inspection challenges, and we believe this partnership will lead to powerful solutions that more effectively meet these needs.”

In addition, the combination of GelSight and Hexagon technologies unlocks new applications that digitize previously tedious, manual inspection processes. For example, mounting a GelSight Mobile device on a Hexagon robotic arm will fully automate customer workflows for shot peen analysis on safety-critical parts such as aircraft landing gear. Additionally, GelSight’s tactile sensors will bring surface roughness analysis solutions to Hexagon’s portfolio and GelSight’s AI Toolbox enables perceptual quality measurements.

“We are thrilled to partner with GelSight after the potential the team showcased as part of the second Sixth Sense cohort, and the impressive progress the company has made since winning last year’s competition,” said Milan Kocic, Senior Director, Sixth Sense at Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. “Sixth Sense was created to nurture and support startups that address the growing demand for disruptive innovation in manufacturing, and this agreement with GelSight is a great example of how our platform can offer valuable opportunities to breakthrough technologies.” Benmokhtar will be featured as a speaker at this year’s Sixth Sense event as part of a Fireside Chat on Powerful Partnerships, sharing how the Sixth Sense program unlocks opportunities for its cohort members. The event will take place on Wednesday, February 7 at 2:30pm GMT at CodeNode in London, EC2M 7EB. The hybrid event is free to attend, both virtually and in-person. Learn more about the event and sign up here.

About GelSight
GelSight is a pioneer in digital, imaging-based tactile intelligence. The proprietary technology that was invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides extremely detailed and rapid surface characterization, enabling several surface measurement applications and robotic sensing capabilities. Its elastomeric 3D imaging systems are currently in use in aerospace, automotive, forensics and in many robotic research labs throughout the world. GelSight is Digital Touch and Feel. For more information, please visit https://gelsight.com/. 

About Hexagon
Hexagon is the global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications.

Our technologies are shaping production and people related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future. Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division provides solutions that use data from design and engineering, production and metrology to make manufacturing smarter. For more information, visit hexagon.com/mi.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,500 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

Media Contacts

Kalyn Schieffer for GelSight
kos@anzupartners.com

Robin Wolstenholme for Hexagon
robin.wolstenhome@hexagon.com

New automated functions improve the efficiency and throughput of surface inspection, defect detection and measurement with GelSight Mobile

Waltham, Mass. – October 4, 2023 –(BUSINESS WIRE)–GelSight, a pioneer in tactile intelligence technology, today announced the release of its GelSight Mobile™ 3.5 software package, with new automated functionality and improved ease of use for GelSight Mobile systems. GelSight Mobile 3.5 significantly streamlines users’ workflows with an improved user interface, automated defect detection, line selection tool improvements, and new capabilities that simplify surface inspection.

“With this additional level of automation, GelSight Mobile 3.5 is making it easier for customers to digitize previously manual processes to improve efficiency and mitigate human error in crucial inspection processes across industries from aerospace, to automotive, and beyond.”

GelSight Mobile 3.5 improves the efficiency and throughput of measurements captured by the portable GelSight Mobile system with automated defect detection. While defect detection processes have typically required multiple steps, the new defect detection feature offers GelSight Mobile users faster analysis with more detailed information on defects like dents, scratches, and pits in a single step. Other new features such as magnetic lines and rotating rectangles also make it easier for users to select, measure, and analyze defects within specific regions of interest. Additionally, GelSight Mobile’s pit detection capabilities have been updated to display 16 different colors, helping users easily connect the pit location in a scan to the pit measurement.

“GelSight is constantly looking for ways to make our systems easier to use while yielding more vital information about surface defects. Line workers and engineers alike will benefit from the tools in GelSight Mobile 3.5, with improved productivity through user interface changes and the new defect detection capability,” said Dennis Lang, Chief Business Officer at GelSight. “This software update to GelSight Mobile makes it easier to use our most popular tools and functions, giving users more options and speeding up their measurements, while still providing the most detailed and accurate information possible.”

GelSight Mobile offers a superhuman touch sensor with micron-level resolution that provides metrologists and inspectors with data-driven insights on surface characteristics that allow them to make more informed decisions. With this software release, GelSight is simplifying the digital inspection of any surface, regardless of material type or reflectivity, by making insights on defects available with a single click of a button.

“Based on direct feedback from customers, we’ve made significant improvements to the GelSight Mobile user interface and added new functionalities that streamline users’ workflows,” said Youssef Benmokhtar, CEO at GelSight. “With this additional level of automation, GelSight Mobile 3.5 is making it easier for customers to digitize previously manual processes to improve efficiency and mitigate human error in crucial inspection processes across industries from aerospace, to automotive, and beyond.”

GelSight Mobile 3.5 is now available, request more information by contacting info@gelsight.com. To learn more about GelSight Mobile, please visit https://www.gelsight.com/solutions/surface-metrology-mobile/.

About GelSight

GelSight is a pioneer in digital, imaging-based tactile intelligence. The proprietary technology that was invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides extremely detailed and rapid surface characterization, enabling several surface measurement applications and robotic sensing capabilities. Its elastomeric 3D imaging systems are currently in use in aerospace, automotive, forensics and in many robotic research labs throughout the world. GelSight is Digital Touch and Feel. For more information, please visit https://gelsight.com/.

Contacts

Media
Brandon Reid for GelSight
bwr@anzupartners.com