Here is a robot that uses a fingertip-size proximity sensor to catch paper balloons like a pro. Its sensor detects the distance to and the tilt angle of the surface of the object faster and with more accuracy. As Ishikawa Senoo Laboratory researchers explain:

The proximity sensor detects the distance to and the tilt angle of the surface of an object with a resolution more than 20-times higher (50micromillimeters) and a measuring time less than 1/10-th (1ms) those of existing sensors […] The hand was able to catch the paper balloon with a deformation equal to or less than that achievable by a human performing the same catching task.

[HT]