ROBOTICS
Cutting-edge robotics: Introducing the hybrid-driven origami gripper
Peer-Reviewed PublicationIMAGE:
SCIENTISTS FROM SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY HAVE UNVEILED A NOVEL HYBRID-DRIVEN ORIGAMI GRIPPER, DESIGNED TO TACKLE THE CHALLENGE OF GRASPING AND MANIPULATING OBJECTS WITH UNPRECEDENTED VERSATILITY AND PRECISION.
view moreCREDIT: ZHUANG ZHANG, SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY.
In an impressive leap forward for robotics technology, researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University have unveiled a novel hybrid-driven origami gripper, designed to tackle the challenge of grasping and manipulating objects with unprecedented versatility and precision. This innovative device, highlighted in a recent study published in Cyborg Bionic Systems, promises to reshape the capabilities of robotic systems in industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare.
The newly developed gripper utilizes a combination of pneumatic and cable-driven mechanisms to control an origami-inspired structure, allowing for adjustable finger stiffness and variable finger lengths. This sophisticated design enables the gripper to handle a wide variety of objects by altering its physical characteristics to suit the task at hand—a groundbreaking development in the field of soft robotics.
Traditional robotic grippers, often limited by their rigid construction and lack of adaptability, can struggle with tasks that require delicate handling or complex maneuvers. The origami gripper, in contrast, draws inspiration from the biological compliance and softness seen in natural organisms. Its fingers, crafted from thermoplastic urethanes-coated fabric and discrete thin metal sheets, combine the flexibility of soft materials with the precision and strength of rigid components. This allows the gripper to conform closely to the surfaces it interacts with, enhancing its ability to securely grasp diverse materials without causing damage.
One of the key innovations of the origami gripper is its ability to adjust the length and stiffness of its fingers dynamically. By modifying the lengths of the cables and the input pressure of the pneumatic system, the gripper can change its grasp to accommodate objects of different sizes and weights. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where a variety of objects need to be handled sequentially or in environments where space and adaptability are crucial.
The design of the gripper includes three independently controlled cables for each finger, which can either pull synchronously for uniform motion or differentially for complex, multi-directional movement. This level of control is essential for tasks that require fine manipulation capabilities, such as assembling delicate components or navigating through cluttered or uneven surfaces.
The research team has conducted extensive testing to demonstrate the gripper's functionality. Experiments showed that the gripper could effectively adjust its gripping force and finger configuration to handle objects ranging from thin fabric pieces to large, heavy footballs. This versatility is underpinned by the gripper’s innovative pneumatic-cable hybrid system, which provides both the power needed to handle heavier loads and the gentle touch required for more fragile items.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to further refine the gripper's design to enhance its load-bearing capabilities and increase its energy efficiency. Such improvements could broaden the gripper’s applications, making it a valuable tool for industries where manual dexterity and delicate handling are paramount, such as in surgical settings or the intricate assembly of consumer electronics.
This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in the ongoing integration of soft robotics into industrial and commercial applications. As robotics technology continues to evolve, devices like the origami gripper are poised to play a crucial role in enabling more efficient, safe, and versatile automated systems.
The paper, "Hybrid-Driven Origami Gripper with Variable Stiffness and Finger Length," was published in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems on Apr 9，2024, at DOI: https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/cbsystems.0103.
JOURNAL
Cyborg and Bionic Systems
ARTICLE TITLE
Hybrid-Driven Origami Gripper with Variable Stiffness and Finger Length
Revolutionizing robotics: Integrating actuation and sensing for smarter soft robots
BEIJING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PRESS CO., LTD
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SCIENTISTS FROM JIANGSU KEY LABORATORY FOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF MICRO-NANO BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTS HAVE THE “STRATEGIES FOR SOFT ACTUATION” SECTION WILL DELVE INTO INTELLIGENT ACTUATION STRATEGIES FOR SOFT ROBOTS AND SUMMARIZE WORK RELATED TO MULTIMODAL ACTUATION TECHNIQUES.
view moreCREDIT: SHUAI ZHOU, JIANGSU KEY LABORATORY FOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF MICRO-NANO BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTS.
The world of robotics is witnessing a transformative shift with the rise of soft robotics, which offers unparalleled flexibility and adaptability in various applications, from medical interventions to intricate rescue operations. A groundbreaking review article by Zhou et al. published in Cyborg Bionic Systems in 2024, sheds light on this evolution, highlighting the crucial integration of actuation and sensing technologies that pave the way for truly intelligent soft robots.
Soft robots, unlike their rigid counterparts, are made from materials that mimic the mechanical properties of living tissues, allowing them to move and adapt with a life-like grace. This capability makes them ideal for operating in unstructured and unpredictable environments where traditional robots might falter. The innovative research spearheaded by the team from Southeast University in Nanjing, China, focuses on merging actuation—the ability to move and interact with surroundings—with sensing, which involves collecting data about the environment. This integration is essential for developing soft robots that can react and adapt to their surroundings autonomously.
Actuation technologies enable soft robots to perform diverse tasks, such as navigating rough terrain or delicately handling objects. Sensing technologies, on the other hand, allow these robots to perceive their environment, from detecting obstacles to assessing the properties of the objects they interact with. By integrating these two capabilities, soft robots can perform complex tasks more effectively and with greater autonomy.
Zhou and colleagues discuss various actuation methods, including pressure-driven, electrically driven, and those utilizing shape memory materials. These methods have allowed soft robots to achieve complex movements such as rotation, crawling, and bending. On the sensing side, the researchers explore advancements in proprioceptive (self-perception) and haptic (touch-based) sensing, which enable robots to understand their body position and react to physical contact.
One of the review's highlights is the detailed examination of three integration methodologies for actuation and sensing:
Sensor Surface Integration: Embedding sensors on the surface of the robot to provide real-time feedback on external interactions.
Sensor Internal Integration: Incorporating sensors within the robot's body to monitor internal states, enhancing the robot's ability to adapt its movements based on dynamic internal and external conditions.
Closed-loop System Integration: Utilizing sensor feedback to create systems where actuation and sensing are continuously informing and optimizing each other's functions.
Despite the promising advancements, the review identifies several challenges facing the field. These include the need for more durable and reliable integration techniques, the development of materials that can withstand diverse operational environments, and the creation of more sophisticated models for predicting and controlling robot behavior.
The future directions suggested by the research team include enhancing the load capacity of these robots, improving their energy efficiency, and refining the technologies that allow them to operate in extreme conditions. These improvements could revolutionize the way robots are used in fields such as deep-sea exploration, disaster recovery, and health-care.
Zhou,Li et al.'s review not only summarizes the current state of soft robotics but also serves as a call to action for researchers. It encourages further exploration into the integration of actuation and sensing to realize the full potential of soft robots. As this field evolves, it promises to bring forth robots that are not only more adaptable and safe for human interaction but also capable of performing tasks that are currently unimaginable.
The paper, "Integrated Actuation and Sensing: Toward Intelligent Soft Robots," was published in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems on Apr 18, 2024, at DOI: https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/cbsystems.0105.
JOURNAL
Cyborg and Bionic Systems
ARTICLE TITLE
Integrated Actuation and Sensing: Toward Intelligent Soft Robots
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