IIT Jodhpur researchers create tactile sensor to detect fruit ripeness

NEW DELHI: Ajay Agarwal, researcher and head of electrical engineering department of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has created a sensor for detecting the ripeness of fruits. A statement from the institute said that the sensor is cost-effective and is a highly sensitive tactile pressure sensor.

Agarwal and his fellow researchers from IIT Delhi and CSIR-CEERI Pilani have published the research paper on IEEE sensor journals. The paper states that the sensor utilises nanoneedle textured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the dielectric layer and is lithography-free, allowing for flexible and large-scale fabrication.

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Official notification from the institute stated that the key inferences of the research are that it is a novel, low-cost process development for sensor fabrication, is suitable for ripeness estimation for various kinds of fruits and the sensor developed is a highly sensitive capacitive one.

The research team characterised the sensitivity and hysterics response of the sensor and examined its transient response. After measuring the elastic modulus and capacitance, the researchers were able to demonstrate the ripeness assessment for various types of tomatoes.

Ajay Agarwal, who headed the research, said, "The development of the highly sensitive tactile pressure sensor and its integration with the robotic system has the potential to revolutionise the way in which high-value fruits are sorted today. This innovative technology offers a cost-effective solution for accurate and reliable fruit ripeness detection during harvesting and transportation, enabling high-throughput sorting of fruits based on their quality and ripeness".