Futuristic robots and prosthetic hands with a more accurate sense of touch than humans could be on the cards after a breakthrough by scientists in America.
Researchers have developed a robotic finger, named BioTac, which has a soft exterior skin and a sensitive microphone which detects vibrations as the sensor moves.
The result is a finger which can recognise different textures, as well as force and temperature.
Co-funded by the National Academy of Sciences and the Amerian Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), the finger can supposedly determine 117 materials with a 95% success rate.
Gerald Loeb, professor of biomedical engineering at USC, says that prosthetic hands need to be able to touch and recognise texture if they are to be truly useful.
"The problem we've been having is how to get robots to feel textures. If you've ever had your fingers so numb from the cold so you couldn't feel things, your hands are almost useless," he said.
"If you can't feel what you're touching... it's as if your hands are paralysed."
The researchers are now looking to sell the finger for use in industrial robots and prosthetic limbs. Take a look at the amazing invention, above.