Mitigating lateral sensing blind spots: A dual-segment bronchoscopic robot with a bioinspired skin.

A dual-segment bronchoscopic robot with a bioinspired skin achieves precise lateral force sensing, reducing blind spots and improving safety during airway navigation.

• Why it matters: Lateral force blind spots can cause airway injuries, and existing sensing methods lack the resolution needed for safe, flexible bronchoscopy, risking tissue damage.
• What they did: Researchers integrated a 64-channel gradient piezoelectric film with a dual-segment manipulator, enabling real-time force localization and autonomous force control in phantom and porcine lung tests.
• The result: The system reliably detects forces below 3.0 N, issues safety alarms at 5.0 N, and enhances flexible surgical navigation, paving the way for safer, more precise bronchoscopic procedures.