1. An industrial robot having a moveable arm, comprising: a contact sensor affixed to said arm; said contact sensor including an electrically conductive base around said arm, at least one flexible and electrically conductive shaft affixed to said base, and at least one flexible and electrically conductive feeler affixed to said shaft; means for biasing said contact sensor with a voltage; means for detecting a leakage current generated when said contact sensor makes contact with an object; and means for reacting to said leakage current by stopping said arm.