Breakthrough in Robotics: New Actuator Mimics Human ...

Breakthrough in Robotics: New Actuator Mimics Human ...

Pioneering engineers from Northwestern University have unveiled an innovative, cost-effective artificial actuator that emulates the movement of human muscles by expanding and contracting. This significant advancement enables the design of simpler and affordable devices, enhancing the capabilities of robots while ensuring safer interactions with humans.

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Dr. Ryan Truby, a materials science and engineering professor at Northwestern University and co-author of the study, highlighted the impact of this technology: “Roboticists have long aimed to enhance robot safety. When a soft robot interacts with a person, it poses a much lower risk of injury compared to a rigid robot. Our actuator facilitates the development of robots that are more suitable for environments designed around human interaction.”

In their recent publication in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, Dr. Truby and his research team demonstrated the performance of the new actuator. They constructed a cylindrical, “worm-like” soft robot and an artificial bicep to validate its effectiveness. The cylindrical robot was able to maneuver through intricate bends within a narrow pipe-like environment, while the artificial bicep succeeded in lifting a weight of 500 grams for an impressive 5,000 cycles without any malfunctions.

These robots were made using standard rubber materials and 3D printing technology, costing merely around $3 each, excluding the motor. This affordability marks a striking contrast to traditional rigid actuators, which often carry higher costs.

This actuator represents a fundamental transformation in robotics, progressing from rigid mechanisms to more adaptable, muscle-like formations. The research team drew inspiration from the inherent properties of human muscle, such as natural contraction and stiffening, in crafting their design.

Dr. Truby posed a pivotal question: “How do you create materials capable of movement akin to muscles? Achieving this would enable us to develop robots that behave and move in ways similar to living organisms.”

To realize this innovative actuator, researchers utilized 3D-printed structures called "handed shearing auxetics" (HSAs) made from thermoplastic polyurethane, a flexible rubber commonly utilized in phone cases. This strategic choice allowed the actuators to remain both soft and durable, effectively addressing previous challenges of rigidity and high costs.

Earlier iterations of HSAs required multiple motors to work properly, complicating their design while limiting flexibility. The Northwestern team streamlined this by integrating soft, expandable rubber bellows that function like a rotating shaft. Consequently, they enabled a single servo motor to rotate and extend the HSA, achieving a closer approximation to muscle-like movements efficiently.

The cylindrical worm-like robot, measuring a compact 26 centimeters, demonstrated an ability to crawl forwards and backwards at speeds exceeding 32 centimeters per minute.

Engineers noted that both the worm-like robot and the artificial bicep demonstrated increased stiffness when fully extended. This advancement shows a major improvement over previous soft robots, which often lacked this functional feature.

The applications for these soft actuators are extensive and transformative. One of the most immediate advantages lies in the improved safety of robots working in close proximity to humans. Unlike traditional rigid robots that pose injury risks, soft robots can engage with people more safely, making them ideal candidates for roles in healthcare, elder care, and service industries.

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In industrial contexts, these flexible actuators hold the promise for developing robotic arms that can adapt to perform delicate tasks requiring a gentle touch. For instance, such robots could handle fragile components on assembly lines without causing damage, thereby enhancing efficiency and minimizing waste.

The healthcare sector is poised to reap significant benefits from this breakthrough. Soft robots utilizing these actuators could assist in surgical procedures, delivering precise movements with reduced risk of unintended harm. Additionally, these robots could support physical therapy, providing adjustable resistance and assistance for rehabilitation patients.

The simplicity and affordability of these actuators also create opportunities for educational use. Educational institutions could incorporate soft robotics into their programs, allowing students hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology without the financial burden typically associated with advanced robotics.

This breakthrough paves the way for further exploration in bioinspired robotics, potentially leading to innovations that integrate seamlessly with natural environments and human activities.

Moreover, the unique ability of these actuators to stiffen when extended adds significant functionality previously absent in soft robotics. This characteristic reflects the behavior of human muscles, which tighten and stiffen to undertake tasks, leading to enhanced performance and reliability across various applications.

As Dr. Truby elaborated, “When you twist a jar lid, your muscles naturally tighten and stiffen to exert force. This mechanism aids your body in accomplishing tasks. Such functionality has often been overlooked in soft robotics. While many soft actuators decrease in stiffness during activity, our flexible actuators actually become stiffer as they operate.”

This research reflects a success of interdisciplinary collaboration between natural sciences and engineering, backed by support from the Office of Naval Research and Northwestern’s Center for Engineering and Sustainability Resilience, further fueling advancements in next-generation technologies.

Other groundbreaking technologies inspired by nature encompass recent developments in nanorobots and the creation of the world’s first functional true ornithopter, a nimble unmanned aircraft with bird-like flying and perching capabilities.

Engineers believe their innovative actuator sets the foundation for further studies into more sophisticated and capable robotic systems. Future investigations might enhance the actuators' capabilities through refined computational techniques for optimizing torque transmission and force output. The exploration of new materials and designs could also broaden the selection space for HSAs, improving the durability of components over time.

Researchers anticipate that the new capabilities of their actuators will promote wider adoption of motorized HSAs as electrically driven soft robotic actuators, as outlined in their concluding thoughts.

As Dr. Truby eloquently states, “Robots that can move like living organisms will enable us to envision robots tackling tasks that traditional robots cannot achieve.”

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