(Yicai Global) May 10 -- The University of Manchester and Beijing's Tashan Technology have  established China's first artificial intelligence tactile sensor lab  with an aim to give robots a sense of touch that would make them safer  for humans.

The research center will develop and promote the use of capacitive tactile sensing chips for  robots, the Chinese firm posted on its website. Capacitive displays are  used in most smartphones.

A robot must have an electronic skin full of tactile sensors to ensure safety when in close  contact with humans, Beijing Daily reported yesterday, citing Sun  Tengchen, manager of Tashan.

Robots can obtain tactile perception close to that of human beings when applying capacitive  technologies and the global first tactile AI chip that Tashan is  developing, a person from the center told Beijing Daily.

Founded in 2017, Tashan counts Softbank China Venture Capital as one of its investors. The firm  aims to achieve mass production of tactile AI chips this year, raise  CNY1 billion (USD146.5 million) in three years and achieve CNY10 billion  in sales in six years.

Editor: Emmi Laine