What is the function of tactile sensors in robotics?

• A. To detect color and distance to objects.
• B. To detect touch and force applied to the robot.
• C. To measure ambient temperature.
• D. To track the robot's position using GPS.

Answer: (B)

Tactile sensors provide a robot with a sense of touch by detecting physical contact and the forces involved. This capability is what lets a robot know when it’s touching something, how hard it’s pressing, and how the contact is distributed across a surface. In practical terms, tactile sensing enables safe and precise manipulation—grip adjustments to avoid crushing objects, detecting slip, and giving feedback to control arms and grippers. The other options describe sensing capabilities for color and distance, ambient temperature, or global position, which are not related to touch sensing.