Wearable Sensors Conceived at Harvard Robotics Lab Measure Hand Forces

Posted on July 1, 2008
Filed Under Robot News

FingerTPS(TM) Put Comfortable Tactile Sensors at Your Fingertips, Literally

LOS ANGELES, July 1 /PRNewswire/ — Pressure Profile Systems, Inc.
(PPS) today announces their innovative new wireless FingerTPS(TM) (Finger
Tactile Pressure Sensing) system for immediate sale worldwide. FingerTPS
sensors are soft, flexible sensors worn on the hand that transmit accurate,
repeatable tactile force data to a PC via wireless Bluetooth connection.
FingerTPS tactile data with integrated video provides a complete
representation of user interaction with tools, sports equipment, new
product designs, or medical applications.

“The FingerTPS concept was originally funded by DARPA research grants
to capture the forces of a skilled surgeon for developing virtual surgical
simulation systems. After a decade of numerous iterations, we finally have
a system that is easy to use,” said Dr. Jae Son, CEO of PPS.

The wireless FingerTPS system was unveiled to the public at the IVR
Industrial Virtual Reality Expo in Tokyo, Japan on June 25-27, 2008. “The
wireless capability and the simple, one-touch calibration were the most
exciting features among attending engineers and researchers from hundreds
of leading firms,” said David Ables, CTO of PPS.

FingerTPS was recently featured in programming on the National
Geographic Channel and Fox Sports Net. Episodes of “SportScience” and
“FightScience” called on PPS and industry experts to scientifically explain
the performance of world-class athletes including NFL hall of fame receiver
Jerry Rice, NBA sharpshooter Jason Kapono, and Mixed Martial Arts legend
Randy Coture.

“For elite athletes like Jerry Rice or Jason Kapono, their hands are
their livelihood, and they readily grasped how real-time tactile data could
help evaluate and improve their performance,” explained Ables.

FingerTPS systems start at $4,995 for a single-hand system with two
sensors that are available in multiple sizes in specialized shapes for
fingers, thumbs, palms, and inner phalanges. FingerTPS systems also include
a video camera for synchronized video input, software, and a reference
sensor for easy, one-touch calibration.

About Pressure Profile Systems

Pressure Profile Systems, Inc. was founded in 1996 by two graduates
from the Harvard University Robotics Lab. Government grants and industrial
sales have enabled PPS tactile sensing technology development for medical
devices, industrial instruments, and consumer electronics.

For more information, contact Sung-Hee Son at 310.641.8100×106 or
sunghee@pressureprofile.com, or visit the PPS website at
http://www.pressureprofile.com.