Sensor assembly and method for measuring forces and torques

A method of assessing forces and torques using a sensor assembly including a base plate, a sensor member displaceable relative to the base plate, a spring arrangement responsive to displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate, and a light sensitive transducer having a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of:

• directing a plurality of light beams through a collimator onto the light sensitive transducer, wherein the collimator is movable relative to the light sensitive transducer and the spring arrangement is responsive to displacement of the sensor member relative to the light sensitive transducer so that each of the plurality of light beams move on the light sensitive transducer in response to application of a load on the sensor member;
• and
• determining forces and torques based on differences in locations of pixels lighted by the light beams as the light beams move in response to the applied load.