The field of haptic feedback and tactile perception is rapidly advancing, with a focus on developing innovative methods for rendering tactile textures, reducing muscle fatigue, and improving tactile representation learning. Researchers are exploring new techniques, such as electrovibration and high-frequency stimulation, to enhance the sustainability of muscle contractions and deliver consistent haptic feedback. The incorporation of material-aware priors and visuo-tactile data is also improving the accuracy of tactile perception and texture classification. Furthermore, the development of new tactile sensors and monitoring systems, such as those using vibro-feedback and acoustic pressure, is enabling more efficient and effective interaction with physical surfaces. Noteworthy papers in this area include:
- RETRO, which introduces a material-aware prior approach to tactile representation learning, enabling more accurate and contextually rich tactile feedback.
- RA-Touch, which leverages visual data enriched with tactile semantics to improve visuo-tactile perception.
- WaveTouch, which uses active vibro-feedback for object stiffness classification, allowing for quick estimation of gripping force and minimizing potential damage to sensing systems.