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Robots That Can Feel: Tactile Sensing With Vadim Manoilo
Episode summary
How robots learn to “feel,” and why touch is the missing piece in robotics with Vadim Manoilo. Vadim Manoilo of Sensobright Industries joins Brian to explain the company’s tactile sensing approach, including gel-and-fiber optics sensors that help robots detect grip, slippage, and even identify objects by touch. They discuss why factory automation is the near-term proving ground, why home robots are still far from human-level capability, and where tactile data could matter most next, including medical tools like laparoscopes. Vadim also shares how he found the company, what guides their product focus, and what he hopes this technology enables as it matures.
Key Takeaways
Robots can often see and hear well, but lack tactile data, which limits reliable interaction in a physical world.
Tactile sensing can improve factory robotics by detecting whether an object is grasped, slipping, or needs grip repositioning.
Sensobright’s approach uses soft silicone gel with fiber optics so the sensing point can avoid common issues like liquids and electromagnetic interference.
Even “one task” robotics is hard to perfect, which helps explain why general-purpose humanoid robots for homes still have major gaps.
Technology direction is a resource allocation problem, so choosing near-term impact use cases reduces the risk of chasing expensive distractions.
Tactile sensing is positioned as a next frontier in robotics, especially as AI and robotics partnerships accelerate.
Medical applications like laparoscopy are a compelling long-term target because touch feedback can change how tools perform and how outcomes improve.
Timeline
Early
00:00:00 Vadim Manoilo introduces his path into tech and how he connected with Sensobright
00:02:00 Why Vadim believes technology should have a purpose and improve lives
00:05:00 A detour into sci-fi and how alternate tech timelines shape expectations
Middle
00:07:00 Why “robots that can feel” matters, and what tactile sensing solves in factories
00:11:00 Responding to skepticism about current robots and why home robotics is still far off
00:15:00 Sensobright products and the practical focus on manufacturing use cases
Late
00:18:00 How the gel-and-fiber optics sensor design works and why it differs from electronics-first sensors
00:21:00 Avoiding distraction, prioritizing impact, and the push toward med tech applications
00:25:00 Why touch is foundational for learning the world, and what tactile data unlocks next
00:29:00 What Vadim is most excited about, including medical possibilities and object and tissue identification by touch
00:31:00 How to contact Vadim and Sensobright
Links and Resources
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingvoice/
Company: https://sensobright.com/
View all episodes
By StrategiqHQ.comEpisode summary
How robots learn to “feel,” and why touch is the missing piece in robotics with Vadim Manoilo. Vadim Manoilo of Sensobright Industries joins Brian to explain the company’s tactile sensing approach, including gel-and-fiber optics sensors that help robots detect grip, slippage, and even identify objects by touch. They discuss why factory automation is the near-term proving ground, why home robots are still far from human-level capability, and where tactile data could matter most next, including medical tools like laparoscopes. Vadim also shares how he found the company, what guides their product focus, and what he hopes this technology enables as it matures.
Key Takeaways
Robots can often see and hear well, but lack tactile data, which limits reliable interaction in a physical world.
Tactile sensing can improve factory robotics by detecting whether an object is grasped, slipping, or needs grip repositioning.
Sensobright’s approach uses soft silicone gel with fiber optics so the sensing point can avoid common issues like liquids and electromagnetic interference.
Even “one task” robotics is hard to perfect, which helps explain why general-purpose humanoid robots for homes still have major gaps.
Technology direction is a resource allocation problem, so choosing near-term impact use cases reduces the risk of chasing expensive distractions.
Tactile sensing is positioned as a next frontier in robotics, especially as AI and robotics partnerships accelerate.
Medical applications like laparoscopy are a compelling long-term target because touch feedback can change how tools perform and how outcomes improve.
Timeline
Early
00:00:00 Vadim Manoilo introduces his path into tech and how he connected with Sensobright
00:02:00 Why Vadim believes technology should have a purpose and improve lives
00:05:00 A detour into sci-fi and how alternate tech timelines shape expectations
Middle
00:07:00 Why “robots that can feel” matters, and what tactile sensing solves in factories
00:11:00 Responding to skepticism about current robots and why home robotics is still far off
00:15:00 Sensobright products and the practical focus on manufacturing use cases
Late
00:18:00 How the gel-and-fiber optics sensor design works and why it differs from electronics-first sensors
00:21:00 Avoiding distraction, prioritizing impact, and the push toward med tech applications
00:25:00 Why touch is foundational for learning the world, and what tactile data unlocks next
00:29:00 What Vadim is most excited about, including medical possibilities and object and tissue identification by touch
00:31:00 How to contact Vadim and Sensobright
Links and Resources
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingvoice/
Company: https://sensobright.com/