MIT Engineers Create Soft Shape-Sensing Sheet

MIT engineers developed a flexible sheet using 1 millimeter thick optical fibers that digitally tracks its 3D shape as it bends. The design achieves an error of less than 0.4 centimeters, outperforming rigid sensors which have errors of 1 to 2 centimeters. Researchers plan to thin the fibers to tens of micrometers for future wearable applications in physical therapy.