# Gentle Toy Robots Gomer is an Open Source Toy Robot with a Soft Touch By Joey Haar | Published 2017-11-08 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gomer References: [digitaltrends](https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/gomer-soft-robotics/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds) & [prelaunch.gomerrobot](https://prelaunch.gomerrobot.com/) One of the biggest barriers between humans and robots is touch, but the Gomer robot, a new open source toy being funded on Indiegogo, hopes to bridge the gap in that regard. According to its website, Gomer is "powered by [soft robotics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pickle-robot-company)," meaning that it has the deftness of touch necessary to gently hold and pick up things that the typical [robotic arm](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gemini-robotics) might struggle with. Though of course people take it for granted, it takes an impressive amount of sensory ability to hold soft, delicate objects — a legerdemain typically beyond the skill of robotic processors. Gomer's soft robotic programming means that it can deal with these touchy objects; it can pick up soft items like food without dropping or damaging them. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Soft Robotics:** Soft robotic programming allows robots to handle delicate objects with precision and care. - **Open Source Toys:** Open source toy robots like Gomer encourage customization and innovation in the toy industry. - **Human-robot Interaction:** Developments in touch-sensitive robots like Gomer are improving the way humans and robots interact. ### Where This Applies - **Robotics:** Soft robotics technology presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the robotics industry, enabling more versatile and gentle robots. - **Toy Industry:** Open source toy robots like Gomer provide opportunities for customization and personalization, offering a new market segment within the toy industry. - **Technology:** Advancements in human-robot interaction through touch-sensitive robotics have the potential to impact various technological applications, from healthcare to manufacturing. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive Companion Care-Bots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourier-g3.md) - [AI-Backed Family Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2xl-cobot.md) - [General-Purpose Humanoid Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/figure-03.md) - [Open-Source Robot Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reachy-mini.md) - [Next-Gen Humanoid Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tesla-optimus-gen-2.md) - [Programmable Robot Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-robots.md) - [Diminutive DIY Desktop Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-desktop-robot.md) - [Ultra Sensitive Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vulcan-robot.md) - [Emotional Lifelike Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lovot.md)