Demonstration, in collaboration with Waseda University, shows how a sensitive robotic nail can pick up a playing card autonomously, as a learned skill, following a human demonstration. Source: XELA Robotics
XELA Robotics Co. plans to exhibit its latest tactile sensing innovations at three events in May and June 2026, including the Robotics Summit & Expo this week in Boston. Its updates and live demonstrations will span new sensor hardware, software improvements, and expanded integrations with leading robotic platforms.
Technologies to see at the Robotics Summit
- Robotic fingertip with nail: In an industry first, XELA Robotics has developed a robotic fingertip with a six-axis, force-sensitive nail, also including 30 tri-axial force sensing points distributed in the pulp. The robotic nail complements the tactile sensors in the fingertip to enable the dexterous grasping of extremely thin objects including thin cards and keys and the conducting of actions as complex as scraping tape off a surface.
- uSkin integration in Universal Manipulation Interface (UMI): The open-source UMI gripper enables AI for human-robot skill transfer by providing data collection from viewing humans doing everyday tasks – such as picking up a bottle of water and pouring it into a glass – and then transferring that skill to robot grippers. uSkin provides the ability to add distributed force-vector measurements to the data collection.
- Magnetic interference compensation: Shown for the first time at the Robotics Summit & Expo, magnetic interference compensation removes even the most complex magnetic interference from nearby magnets or ferromagnetic materials. This is critical for the handling of iron and other metals in factories as well as for specialized parts including magnetic clips. It goes well beyond the prior add-on option which removed most magnetic interference other than for strong, small magnets nearly touching the sensors.
- Enhanced delicate grasping capability: uSkin tactile sensors now have a further improved capability to grasp and manipulate extremely fragile objects. This is a result of new software which includes machine vision to locate objects, provides better control of robot arms and an enhanced third-party graphic user interface all of which combine to enable the rapid and easy development of advanced robotic tasks. Visitors to XELA Robotics’ booth can participate in a cutting-edge pick-and-place demo involving a paper origami crane and a quail egg.
- High-durability models: XELA has updated the fingertip covers it provides. In the case of damage, they can be easily replaced without the need to swap out the sensors or fingertips themselves. The updated covers enable even higher resilience and high force sensing albeit with lower sensitivity.
- Automatic weight and hardness detection: Now, robots equipped with uSkin tactile sensors lifting objects can automatically determine their weight and hardness.
- Improved version of the uSPr DS: The uSPr enables all-around sensing and softness. XELA’s latest version has reduced hysteresis in the measurements and was further reinforced without reducing sensitivity. All-around sensing with minimal hysteresis and high durability can help applications like bin-picking to avoid damaging surrounding objects.
- High-speed CAN FD communication: The company said its sensors now provide output via CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), a modern high-speed communication protocol. CAN FD enables the use of more sensor modules on the same data line without a reduction in frequency due to increased data transfer rates (up to 8 Mbps) and larger payloads (frames can hold up to 64 bytes instead of the 8-byte limit in CAN). Together with XELA’s proprietary event-based communication, this ensures stable performance even when many sensing points are activated simultaneously. Minimal wiring is important for the integration of many sensors in limited spaces, such as a humanoid robot hand, the company noted.
- Improved microcontrollers: XELA Robotics said its improved microcontrollers enable higher frequencies. For example, the uSPr HE35 for the Robotiq Hand-E now operates at 500 Hz. The fingertips for the Hand-E have a thickness of only 6.6 mm, featuring 60 measurements in each fingertip and an easily exchangeable top layer.
UMI gripper equipped with uSkin sensors in the fingertips, with real-time tactile data visualization. Source: XELA Robotics
XELA Robotics to demo hardware-agnostic integration
XELA Robotics said its uSkin technology is hardware-agnostic and can be integrated into a wide range of robot hands and grippers. At the show, the company plans to demonstrate this with the Tesollo and Allegro hands, as well as the Robotiq Hand-E and 2F grippers.
From standalone patch sensors and individual fingertips to full robot arm demonstrations, booth visitors can see firsthand how easily XELA’s technology integrates into complete robotic systems.
- Robotics Summit & Expo: May 27–28, Boston, Booth 616
- ICRA 2026: June 1–5, Vienna, Booth 107
- Automate 2026: June 22–25, Chicago, Booth 1888, South Hall. Xela will be part of the Humanoid Robot Pavilion sponsored by NVIDIA.
Founded in 2018, XELA Robotics spun out from Waseda University. The Tokyo-based company said its team has more than 70 years combined of research experience in robotics and tactile sensing.
XELA focuses on practical applications of tactile data—improving how robots grasp, manipulate, and interact with real environments. Its stated goal is to make automation reliable, adaptable, and accessible across industries as working populations age in Japan and worldwide.
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