GelSlim 4.0: Focusing on Touch and Reproducibility

Abstract

Tactile sensing provides robots with rich feedback during manipulation, enabling a host of perception and controls capabilities. Here, we present a new open-source, vision-based tactile sensor designed to promote reproducibility and accessibility across research and hobbyist communities. Building upon the GelSlim 3.0 sensor, our design features two key improvements: a simplified, modifiable finger structure and easily manufacturable lenses. To complement the hardware, we provide an open-source perception library that includes depth and shear field estimation algorithms to enable in-hand pose estimation, slip detection, and other manipulation tasks. Our sensor is accompanied by comprehensive manufacturing documentation, ensuring the design can be readily produced by users with varying levels of expertise. We validate the sensor's reproducibility through extensive human usability testing. For documentation, code, and data, please visit the project website: https://www.mmintlab.com/research/gelslim-4-0/