At
EPFL's CREATE lab, under the guidance of Josie Hughes, a breakthrough has been
made in the realm of soft robotics. Drawing inspiration from the versatile
movement of elephant trunks and octopus tentacles, the team introduced the
trimmed helicoid—a novel robotic structure that promises greater compliance and
control in robotic designs.
With a blend of keen biological
observation and computational
modeling, the researchers
have now unveiled the soft robot arm capable of intricate tasks, ensuring safer
human-robot interactions. The findings, detailing both the structure and
methodology, are a collaboration with the Department of Cognitive Robotics at
TU Delft and were published in npj Robotics.
Professor Hughes stated, "Through
the invention of a new architectured structure, the trimmed helicoid, we've
designed a robot arm that excels in control, range of motion, and safety. When
the novel architecture is combined with distributed actuation—where multiple
actuators are placed throughout a structure or device—this robot arm has a vast
range of motion, high precision, and is inherently safe for human interaction."
Whereas traditional robots are rigid, often making them unsuitable for delicate tasks or close human interactions, CREATE's soft robot arm is designed for safer interactions with humans and adaptability to a wider range of tasks. With an unprecedented combination of flexibility and precision, the soft and compliant nature of the arm reduces potential risks during human-robot interactions. This opens doors for its application in health care, elderly care, and more.
Credit: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
Unlike their rigid counterparts,
the soft robot arm can adapt to different shapes and surfaces,
making it an ideal tool for intricate tasks like picking fruits or handling
fragile items. In industry, it might become the go-to solution for delicate
assembly lines, working alongside humans, augmenting their capacity instead of
replacing them. The agricultural industry could also benefit from its gentle touch in
handling crops, accompanying workers to lessen their workload during intense
harvesting periods.
The crux of the research lies in
the robotic arm's novel architecture. The researchers have creatively modified
a spring-like spiral, which they call a "helicoid," by trimming parts
of it to give it diverse functionalities. This seemingly simple act has allowed
them to precisely control how flexible or stiff the spiral becomes in different
directions.
By adjusting its shape, they can
make the inner part resistant to being squashed and the outer part flexible
enough to bend easily. With this special design, they've created a soft robot
that can move and act in ways previously unseen, showing the kind of dexterity
and soft touch found in nature, like in an elephant's trunk or an octopus's
tentacle.
"By observing these animals
and developing a novel architectured structure, we aim to mimic this range of
motion and control found in nature," Hughes noted. To do so, the team
employed advanced computer modeling to turn observations into tangible results.
Using these models, they iteratively tested their innovative spiral
designs—into a final trimmed helicoid shape.
Qinghua Guan and Francesco Stella,
who spearheaded the actual creation of the robot, gave insights into the design
and optimization process. "We introduce a specific surface into the
computer model, then trim and adjust. Computational methods guide us, helping
assess the optimal geometric structure for maximum workspace and
compliance."
The result? A robotic creation,
drawing from nature, but refined with precise human ingenuity and computer
modeling. "In the end, our computer models were accurate to the point
where we only had to build one version of the arm."
The advancements at EPFL's CREATE
lab symbolize a pivotal shift in the robotics field. Traditional robotic
applications, dominated by rigid mechanics, could see a shift towards this
softer, more human-friendly counterpart. A patent has been filed for this first
commercial soft manipulator, and a EPFL and TU Delft joint start-up has been
launched under the name Helix Robotics.
As Hughes aptly summarized, "Merging keen observations from nature with precise computational modeling has unveiled the potential of soft robotics for future commercial applications. As we move forward, our aim is to bring robots closer to humans, not just in proximity but in understanding and collaboration. We hope that this soft robotic arm exemplifies a future where machines assist, complement, and understand human needs more deeply than ever before."
by Michael David Mitchell, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de
Lausanne
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