Sanctuary AI has announced the integration of new tactile sensor technology into its Phoenix general-purpose robots, enhancing their ability to perform complex, touch-driven tasks. The update allows teleoperation pilots to utilize the robots’ dexterity more effectively, improving precision and accuracy in handling objects. The development follows the company’s recent unveiling of its tactile sensors and aligns with its broader efforts to advance dexterous intelligence for autonomous labor.
The new sensors collect richer behavioral data, enabling Sanctuary AI’s embodied physical AI models to improve their performance. The company positions its technology as a solution to global labor shortages, aiming to deploy general-purpose robots across various industries, including automotive, distribution, energy, logistics, retail, telecom, and utilities.
James Wells, CEO of Sanctuary AI, emphasized the role of touch in achieving human-level dexterity in robots, stating that the sensors enable fine manipulation even when vision is obstructed. The technology supports functions such as blind picking, slippage detection, and controlled force application, expanding the range of tasks the robots can perform. Dr. Jeremy Fishel, Principal Researcher at Sanctuary AI, noted that without tactile sensing, robots rely solely on video to detect contact, which can delay response times and reduce efficiency. The new sensors address this limitation by providing real-time touch feedback.
Sanctuary AI has been ranking third globally in published US patents, according to Morgan Stanley. The company introduced the latest iteration of its Phoenix robots in 2024, incorporating advanced tactile sensors to further differentiate its technology from competitors that primarily rely on stereo camera feeds for object interaction.
