XELA Robotics :: Advanced Tactile Sensing Technology That Gives Robots a Human-Like Sense of Touch

XELA Robotics (XELA Robotics Co., Ltd.) is a Japanese robotics company specializing in advanced tactile sensing technology that gives robots a human-like sense of touch. Founded in August 2018 as a spin-out from Waseda University in Tokyo, the company develops high-density, 3-axis tactile sensors and accompanying software to enable more adaptable, reliable, and precise automation. Their mission focuses on bridging the gap in physical AI by providing robots with the ability to feel pressure, shear forces, and object properties in real time — capabilities that vision systems alone cannot achieve. This technology supports applications in industrial automation, logistics, service robotics, humanoid robots, delicate handling, research, and more.

The flagship product line is uSkin, a thin, soft, durable tactile sensing system with minimal wiring. Each sensing point measures forces in three dimensions (normal pressure and shear in X/Y), with high sensitivity (down to 0.1 gram-force resolution), fast sampling rates up to 500 Hz, and robustness against overloading. The sensors consist of layered construction: a protective outer shell, soft elastomer for compliance and durability, and embedded chips that detect displacement. They support temperature and magnetic interference compensation, making them suitable for real-world industrial environments.

XELA combines hardware with uAi software, which processes tactile data for visualization, contact detection, force measurement, slip detection, object property analysis (weight, hardness, texture), and real-time feedback. This allows robots to adjust grip force dynamically, correct misalignments during insertion tasks, handle fragile or deformable objects, and perform complex manipulations without relying solely on vision. Sensors are available for:

• Grippers: Robust handling in pick-and-place, assembly, and warehouse tasks.
• Robot Hands: Human-like dexterity for humanoid and service robots.
• Custom Surfaces: Integration on any robotic surface or tool.

Key use cases include automated assembly (e.g., cable insertion, overcoming vision-based alignment errors), warehouse pick-and-place of unknown or randomly oriented objects, delicate fruit picking/sorting to reduce damage, and research applications. The systems are hardware-agnostic, easy to integrate, cost-effective, and scalable, with options for off-the-shelf modules or fully custom designs. XELA has served over 170 clients worldwide and continues to expand integrations with platforms like Robotiq grippers and various robot hands.

The company is venture-backed and actively participates in major events such as Robotics Summit, ICRA, Automate, and CES. It emphasizes practical, deployable solutions that advance “real automation” by making robots more adaptable in uncertain environments. XELA’s technology addresses critical limitations in current robotics, particularly in tasks requiring fine force control and tactile feedback, positioning it as a key enabler for next-generation physical AI.