In a significant stride for the robotics industry, Hefei StarSense Sensing Technology Co., Ltd. has unveiled a revolutionary six-dimensional sensing technology and product series, directly tackling long-standing challenges in calibration, validation, and durability that have hampered advanced force perception systems. This development, announced on September 21, 2025, is poised to inject fresh momentum into the development of humanoid robots, both within the Hefei region and across the national technological landscape. The innovation centers on providing robots with a highly sensitive “force-sense” perception, enabling precise grasping and safe interaction with their environments, a critical capability for the next generation of humanoid robots.
The introduction of this technology marks a pivotal moment for the field of humanoid robots, where sophisticated force feedback is essential for complex tasks. For humanoid robots to operate effectively in dynamic, human-centric environments, they must perceive and respond to forces and torques with a level of nuance previously difficult to achieve. The newly released systems from StarSense are designed to be the force-perception “nerve center” for these advanced machines, potentially accelerating their deployment in various sectors.
- The Imperative of Advanced Force Perception in Humanoid Robots
The evolution of humanoid robots is intrinsically linked to their ability to interact with the physical world in a safe, precise, and adaptable manner. While vision and audio sensors provide critical environmental data, the sense of touch—or force perception—is what allows for delicate manipulation, stable locomotion, and compliant physical interaction. Six-dimensional force sensors represent the pinnacle of this capability, measuring forces and moments in all three spatial dimensions simultaneously. For humanoid robots, this means that when a robot hand grasps an object or a robot foot makes contact with the ground, the sensor can decompose the complex load into precise components: three orthogonal forces (Fx, Fy, Fz) and three corresponding moments (Mx, My, Mz). This data is fundamental for implementing advanced control strategies that allow humanoid robots to perform tasks ranging from assembling delicate electronics to providing physical assistance in healthcare settings. The market for humanoid robots demands such high-fidelity force feedback to ensure that these machines can work alongside humans without risk of injury or damage. However, the development and widespread adoption of reliable six-dimensional force sensors have been constrained by significant technical barriers, including difficulties in accurate calibration, the absence of standardized validation protocols, and concerns over long-term durability in rigorous applications. These challenges have historically limited the performance and reliability of force-controlled humanoid robots.
Humanoid robots are envisioned for a future where they can navigate unstructured environments, from homes to factories. A key differentiator for advanced humanoid robots will be their haptic intelligence—the capacity to “feel” their actions and the reactions of their surroundings. Without robust six-dimensional force sensing, the potential of humanoid robots remains capped; they may perform pre-programmed motions but struggle with the unpredictable nuances of real-world physics. The ability to measure multi-axis forces in real-time enables force-controlled assembly, impedance control for safe human-robot collaboration, and adaptive gait control for bipedal locomotion. For instance, when a humanoid robot is walking on an uneven surface, six-dimensional sensors in its ankles can detect minute shifts in force distribution, allowing the control system to adjust balance instantly. Similarly, in a manufacturing task, a humanoid robot equipped with such sensors in its wrists can apply just the right amount of force to insert a component without causing damage. The progress in humanoid robotics is therefore directly correlated with advancements in multi-dimensional force sensing technology. The recent announcement from Hefei StarSense addresses these very needs, aiming to provide a foundational technology that could unlock new levels of dexterity and autonomy for humanoid robots.
- StarSense’s Pioneering Six-Dimensional Sensing Technology and Product Suite
At the heart of StarSense’s announcement is a comprehensive solution that includes the “Nibiru 1.0,” a fully functional miniaturized six-dimensional joint calibration frame built at a 1:10 scale, and a high-integration six-dimensional joint calibration instrument. Together, these form a rare six-dimensional joint calibration system within the industry. The six-dimensional force sensor itself acts as a critical component, typically installed at key points such as the wrists and ankles of humanoid robots. It functions as the force-perception nerve center, enabling the robot to accurately sense external forces and torques. Unlike traditional single-dimension sensors, the six-dimensional sensor provides a complete picture of spatial load conditions, which is indispensable for dynamic force perception and precise force control in complex robotic applications, particularly for humanoid robots that mimic human movement and interaction.
The “Nibiru 1.0” system, entirely self-developed by StarSense, boasts fully independent intellectual property rights. A standout technical specification is its exceptional axis-to-axis crosstalk performance, which is superior to 1/10000. This metric is crucial as it indicates the sensor’s ability to isolate and measure forces and moments along each axis without interference from the others, a common source of error in multi-axis sensors. The system enables arbitrary proportional loading of multi-dimensional forces and moments, allowing for highly accurate and comprehensive calibration. This capability is vital for ensuring that sensors used in humanoid robots deliver reliable and precise data under all operational conditions. By addressing the perennial issues of difficult calibration and the lack of transparent evaluation methods, StarSense’s technology significantly lowers the entry barrier for developing high-end six-dimensional force sensors. The company has plans to make calibration and testing services available externally and to sell the complete “Nibiru” system to other enterprises and research institutions. Furthermore, collaborations with metrology institutes are anticipated, which could establish much-needed public and transparent evaluation standards for the industry, moving away from a reliance on manufacturer claims towards a verifiable, test-based trust mechanism for components used in humanoid robots.
- Addressing Core Industry Bottlenecks for Humanoid Robot Development
The global market for high-end six-dimensional force sensors has long been dominated by foreign enterprises, creating a dependency and high cost barrier for many developers, including those focused on humanoid robots. Domestically, the industry has faced a fragmented landscape characterized by a lack of uniform standards and an absence of an open evaluation framework. This has made it challenging for developers of humanoid robots to source reliable, high-performance force sensors and to objectively compare different products. The difficulties in calibration mean that even well-designed sensors may not perform to their specified accuracy without sophisticated and often proprietary calibration equipment. The problem of validation or acceptance testing means that customers lack independent means to verify sensor performance claims, leading to potential mismatches between expected and actual performance in humanoid robot applications. Durability concerns are equally critical; sensors in humanoid robots are subject to continuous and varying loads, and failure or drift in performance can compromise the entire system’s safety and functionality.
StarSense’s new technology directly confronts these bottlenecks. The “Nibiru” calibration system is designed to simplify and standardize the calibration process, making it more accessible and reliable. By offering axis-to-axis crosstalk figures that are among the best in the industry, it ensures that sensors calibrated with this system will exhibit minimal error, which is paramount for the delicate operations performed by humanoid robots. The plan to open calibration services and collaborate on standardization efforts promises to create a more level playing field. For companies and research teams developing humanoid robots, this means easier access to high-quality force sensing components and a clearer understanding of their performance characteristics. This transparency can accelerate innovation cycles, reduce development costs, and enhance the overall reliability and safety of humanoid robots destined for commercial and personal use. The move towards a verifiable performance metric, where both buyers and sellers can measure and agree upon specifications, represents a significant cultural shift in the supply chain for critical components in humanoid robots.
- The Expert Team Behind the Innovation: A Convergence of Talent
Despite its formal establishment in April 2025, StarSense is backed by a team described as “industry top-tier.” The core members hail from globally leading force sensor corporations and domestic front-runners in robot multi-dimensional force sensors. This blend of international and domestic expertise provides a strong foundation for innovation. The research and development team includes principal members who have previously led multiple provincial and ministerial-level civilian-military integration research projects. This background suggests a deep understanding of high-reliability, high-performance sensor technologies that are often required in demanding applications, many of which share common challenges with those faced in advanced robotics, particularly for humanoid robots.
The collective experience of the team is a key asset in overcoming the technical barriers that have persisted in the field of multi-axis force sensing. Their prior involvement in projects that bridge civilian and defense technologies often involves tackling problems related to precision, durability, and operation in challenging environments—attributes directly transferable to the needs of humanoid robots. This expert foundation has likely contributed to the rapid development and launch of the “Nibiru” system. The team’s focused commitment is on propelling the development of the machine force-sense sensor industry, with a clear vision of enabling more sophisticated and capable robotic systems, especially humanoid robots that require a high degree of force interaction and control. Their background indicates a capacity to not only develop the hardware but also to understand the broader system integration challenges that developers of humanoid robots encounter.
- Future Trajectory and Broader Implications for Humanoid Robotics
The release of StarSense’s six-dimensional sensing technology is more than a product launch; it is a potential catalyst for the broader ecosystem of humanoid robots. By providing a robust solution to the core problem of force perception, it enables robotics engineers to focus on higher-level control algorithms and application development. The availability of reliable, easy-to-calibrate, and durable six-dimensional force sensors can lower the development threshold for startups and academic institutions working on humanoid robots. This could lead to a proliferation of innovative designs and applications, from industrial automation and logistics to personal assistance and healthcare. The emphasis on creating an open and transparent evaluation system further fosters a collaborative environment where progress can be measured and verified objectively.
Looking ahead, the company’s strategy of making its calibration technology and services available to the wider market could establish it as a key enabler in the value chain for humanoid robots. As the industry for humanoid robots continues to grow, the demand for precise force feedback will only intensify. Technologies that simplify the integration and validation of such critical components will be in high demand. The collaboration with metrology institutes to potentially create industry standards could have a lasting impact, ensuring that future developments in force sensing for humanoid robots are built on a foundation of reliability and interoperability. This aligns with global trends where the success of humanoid robots is increasingly dependent on the maturation of core subsystems like actuation, perception, and control. By addressing a fundamental bottleneck in force perception, StarSense’s innovation contributes to building the necessary infrastructure for the widespread adoption and advancement of humanoid robots in various aspects of society and economy.
The unveiling of this high-precision six-dimensional sensing technology by Hefei StarSense represents a meaningful step forward in overcoming one of the most persistent technical challenges in robotics. For the field of humanoid robots, in particular, it offers a pathway to achieving the nuanced force control required for true autonomy and safe human-robot interaction. As the technology becomes more accessible and its performance verifiable through new standards, the pace of innovation for humanoid robots is likely to accelerate, bringing the vision of capable, general-purpose humanoid robots closer to reality. The focus on solving core issues like calibration difficulty and lack of validation protocols underscores a pragmatic approach to advancing the entire ecosystem surrounding humanoid robots.