A strain-based transducer senses applied loads through an elastic body, multiple sensing channels and calibration. This is a schematic six-axis sensing concept.
Loads elastically deform the sensing body. Multiple gauge signals and a calibration matrix are needed to recover forces and moments.
Illustrative force / torque sensor concept. Designs differ by manufacturer; the model is not an OEM bill of materials.
What to look for: Four illustrative flexure arms with schematic gauge patches and fine signal wires.
A force/torque transducer measures applied loads. An IMU measures motion; an encoder tracks position. The phrase six-axis can describe different measurements and is not enough to establish a match.
Wrist feedback or fingertip touch?
A wrist force sensor, a miniature force element, and a tactile fingertip sensor are different products. Map the disclosed sensing function to the actual location and role.
Novanta brings ATI force/torque sensing; Renishaw documents encoders in humanoid joints. Analog Devices and ST cover inertial feedback, while TE adds force and position sensing.
Open each company below for its source and limitations. Sector membership does not establish a confirmed supply contract.
Inside the assembly
Tool-side mounting flange
The top interface transfers forces from a hand or foot into the sensing body.
Stock-link scope: Force/torque transducer integrators; the mounting interface belongs to the complete sensor, not a separately verified flange supply business.
Elastic deformation under load produces strain. Flexure geometry, gauge orientation and a calibration matrix together distinguish force and moment components.
Stock-link scope: Complete force/torque sensors use a sensing body. Internal flexure designs vary and are not established by this illustrative geometry.
Gauges convert local strain into resistance changes, read by bridge circuits. The illustrated patches show the principle, not a validated six-axis gauge layout.
Stock-link scope: VPG’s Micro-Measurements business supplies strain gauges. Miniature packaged force sensors and magnetic position ICs are different technologies.
Amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters read the small gauge signals. Calibration and processing relate those readings to forces and moments.
Stock-link scope: Precision measurement and embedded signal-processing electronics. This is not a claim that these companies make a complete six-axis transducer.
The humanoid application portfolio covers power, motor control, and sensing. Hand relevance is control electronics rather than mechanical finger manufacture.
Keli reports its six-axis force sensors at the wrists of Botler humanoids in Zeekr factory testing. Wrist feedback is not the same as fingertip tactile skin.
Humanoid reference designs cover motor drives, BMS, sensing, controllers, and multi-axis hand control. TI supplies chips, not complete mechanical hands.
