Download or read book Methodology for Designing and Manufacturing Complex Biologically Inspired Soft Robotic Fluidic Actuators written by Elliot Thompson-Bean and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A novel methodology for the design and manufacture of complex biologically inspired soft robotic fluidic actuators is presented. The methodology is applied to the design and manufacture of a prosthetic for the hand. This methodology is significant as it removes the need to perform complex ad hoc and in depth analysis of biological or soft robotic motions, when designing soft robots. This methodology provides a significant step towards developing more robust and complex, biologically inspired soft robots, with considerably improved performance. Real human hands are scanned to produce a 3D model of a finger, and pneumatic networks are implemented within it, to produce a biomimetic bending motion. The finger is then partitioned into material sections, and a genetic algorithm based optimization, using finite element analysis, is employed to discover the optimal material for each section. This is based on two biomimetic performance criteria. Two sets of optimizations using two material sets are performed. Promising optimized material arrangements are fabricated using two techniques to validate the optimization routine, and the fabricated and simulated results are compared. The optimization is successful in producing biomimetic soft robotic fingers, and fabrication of the fingers is possible. Limitations and paths for development are discussed. This methodology can be applied to other fluidic soft robotic devices. A study from the University of Auckland School of Psychology into the perception of soft robots is also assisted. Two soft robotic prosthetic fingers and one rigid prosthetic finger are fabricated, as well as a testing rig, to aid in the carrying out of experiments. The results reveal that stiffer soft robotic materials similar to SmoothSil 940, are better suited for the fabrication of fluidic soft robots, which are intended for applications involving interactions with human beings via touch, such as prosthetics. This project is funded by the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service. Thus, the end user of the prosthetic device is considered throughout the work, as both the physical and social and emotional features of a prosthetic for the hand, are addressed.

Download or read book Additive Manufacturing of Heterogeneous Composites for Biomimetic Robots written by Armita Hamidi and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Printing complex objects from computer-aided design models is a unique capability of additive manufacturing (AM). Developing this ability to print heterogeneous materials with diverse mechanical properties will advance AM beyond the current capabilities, eliminating the need for assembly and post-processing, and promoting the efficient design of multifunctional complex objects with minimum time and cost. Considering this concept, we aim to investigate this technology to fabricate biologically inspired structures, actuators, and robots. In this dissertation, first, an inexpensive 3D printer is developed for a single step fabrication of a novel bioinspired joint system, consisting of dissimilar materials with high strength and high strain. The joint consists of thermoplastic parts reinforced with metal fibers that resemble bones and soft elastomer that mimics soft tissue. An open-source 3D printer is modified to print thermoplastic with continuous fibers (copper and steel), where the metal fibers act as reinforcement within a polymer matrix (PLA and PETG). The influence of different wire materials and polymer matrixes on the tensile modulus and ultimate tensile strength is studied. The properties of the samples are predicted analytically using several models and compared with experimental results. Highly stretchable elastomer is directly 3D printed and simultaneously cured by heating. Moreover, a cost effective multi-material AM (modified FDM and DIW) is developed that maintained high elasticity and sufficient strength for printing components that mimic the musculoskeletal system. In the second part of the study, the main focus is on the highly elastic materials, sacrificial materials, and actuation units to further develop the fabrication of highly elastic soft structures. Silicone thinner is used to tailor the mechanical properties of the soft material, and it is shown that the addition of the thinner to the silicone reduces the tensile modulus and improves the elongation to break. By adding 20% volume thinner to the silicone, the 3D printed silicone samples reached to 1260% elongation without breaking, which is the highest among all the 3D printed elastomers previously reported. However, this strain is not achieved in the cyclic tensile test, instead, the maximum strain was 600 % where the sample failed after 40 cycles. To create hollow channels during 3D printing of silicone, carbohydrate glasses are introduced as sacrificial materials. Few configurations of fluidic actuators that are commonly used in soft robots are developed by forming channels in the silicone elastomer via 3D printed sacrificial carbohydrate structures. The last part is the design and development of biomimetic structures (jellyfish, modular joint and starfish structures) by the existing method of robot manufacturing and proposed AM techniques. The primary focus on this part is on the design, development, and analysis of the heterogeneous structures of biomimetic robots. Therefore, a complete fabrication process for each of the robotic structure is identified and used to make multiple functional prototypes. All the demonstrated biomimetic systems are actuated by embedding twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) muscle during or after the fabrication process or assembled. The flexibility of the TCP enables the soft robot to bend, twist, and change shape while it is embedded in the structure. 6-Ply and 4-Ply silver-coated nylon (TCP) muscle geometries were studied and used for the design and development of the jellyfish and starfish like robots. The capabilities offered by these biomimetic robots are extensively characterized such as: (i) swimming, (ii) multidirectional bending, and (iii) producing morphing shapes. Extensive evaluations of these capabilities with functional prototypes demonstrate that integration TCP with elastomer is viable for creating biomimetic robots.

Download or read book Biologically Inspired Control of Humanoid Robot Arms written by Adam Spiers and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-05-19 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book investigates a biologically inspired method of robot arm control, developed with the objective of synthesising human-like motion dynamically, using nonlinear, robust and adaptive control techniques in practical robot systems. The control method caters to a rising interest in humanoid robots and the need for appropriate control schemes to match these systems. Unlike the classic kinematic schemes used in industrial manipulators, the dynamic approaches proposed here promote human-like motion with better exploitation of the robot’s physical structure. This also benefits human-robot interaction. The control schemes proposed in this book are inspired by a wealth of human-motion literature that indicates the drivers of motion to be dynamic, model-based and optimal. Such considerations lend themselves nicely to achievement via nonlinear control techniques without the necessity for extensive and complex biological models. The operational-space method of robot control forms the basis of many of the techniques investigated in this book. The method includes attractive features such as the decoupling of motion into task and posture components. Various developments are made in each of these elements. Simple cost functions inspired by biomechanical “effort” and “discomfort” generate realistic posture motion. Sliding-mode techniques overcome robustness shortcomings for practical implementation. Arm compliance is achieved via a method of model-free adaptive control that also deals with actuator saturation via anti-windup compensation. A neural-network-centered learning-by-observation scheme generates new task motions, based on motion-capture data recorded from human volunteers. In other parts of the book, motion capture is used to test theories of human movement. All developed controllers are applied to the reaching motion of a humanoid robot arm and are demonstrated to be practically realisable. This book is designed to be of interest to those wishing to achieve dynamics-based human-like robot-arm motion in academic research, advanced study or certain industrial environments. The book provides motivations, extensive reviews, research results and detailed explanations. It is not only suited to practising control engineers, but also applicable for general roboticists who wish to develop control systems expertise in this area.

Download or read book Novel Bioinspired Actuator Designs for Robotics written by Philipp Beckerle and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-09-04 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book discusses biologically inspired robotic actuators designed to offer improved robot performance and approaching human-like efficiency and versatility. It assesses biological actuation and control in the human motor system, presents a range of technical actuation approaches, and discusses potential applications in wearable robots, i.e., powered prostheses and exoskeletons. Gathering the findings of internationally respected researchers from various fields, the book provides a uniquely broad perspective on bioinspired actuator designs for robotics. Its scope includes fundamental aspects of biomechanics and neuromechanics, actuator and control design, and their application in (wearable) robotics. The book offers PhD students and advanced graduate students an essential introduction to the field, while providing researchers a cutting-edge research perspective.

Download or read book Biologically Inspired Robotics written by Yunhui Liu and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2017-12-19 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Robotic engineering inspired by biology—biomimetics—has many potential applications: robot snakes can be used for rescue operations in disasters, snake-like endoscopes can be used in medical diagnosis, and artificial muscles can replace damaged muscles to recover the motor functions of human limbs. Conversely, the application of robotics technology to our understanding of biological systems and behaviors—biorobotic modeling and analysis—provides unique research opportunities: robotic manipulation technology with optical tweezers can be used to study the cell mechanics of human red blood cells, a surface electromyography sensing system can help us identify the relation between muscle forces and hand movements, and mathematical models of brain circuitry may help us understand how the cerebellum achieves movement control. Biologically Inspired Robotics contains cutting-edge material—considerably expanded and with additional analysis—from the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO). These 16 chapters cover both biomimetics and biorobotic modeling/analysis, taking readers through an exploration of biologically inspired robot design and control, micro/nano bio-robotic systems, biological measurement and actuation, and applications of robotics technology to biological problems. Contributors examine a wide range of topics, including: A method for controlling the motion of a robotic snake The design of a bionic fitness cycle inspired by the jaguar The use of autonomous robotic fish to detect pollution A noninvasive brain-activity scanning method using a hybrid sensor A rehabilitation system for recovering motor function in human hands after injury Human-like robotic eye and head movements in human–machine interactions A state-of-the-art resource for graduate students and researchers.

Download or read book Soft Material Robotics written by Liyu Wang and published by . This book was released on 2017-04-12 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduces the fundamentals aspects of the topic from history, modelling, control, and system integration. The last decade has witnessed an increasing interest in the more active use of soft materials in robotic systems. Having a soft body like the ones in biological systems can potentially provide a robot with superior capabilities.

Download or read book Soft Actuators written by Kinji Asaka and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-11-17 with total page 492 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The subject of this book is the current comprehensive research and development of soft actuators, and encompasses interdisciplinary studies of materials science, mechanics, electronics, robotics and bioscience. As an example, the book includes current research on actuators based on biomaterials to provide future perspectives for artificial muscle technology. Readers can obtain detailed, useful information about materials, methods of synthesis, fabrication and measurements. The topics covered here not only promote further research and development of soft actuators but also lead the way to their utilization and industrialization. One outstanding feature of the book is that it contains many color figures, diagrams and photographs clearly describing the mechanism, apparatus and motion of soft actuators. The chapter on modeling is conducive to more extensive design work in materials and devices and is especially useful in the development of practical applications. Readers can acquire the newest technology and information about the basic science and practical applications of flexible, lightweight and noiseless soft actuators, which are quite unlike conventional mechanical engines and electric motors. The new ideas offered in this volume will provide inspiration and encouragement to researchers and developers as they explore new fields of applications for soft actuators.

Download or read book The Science of Soft Robots written by Koichi Suzumori and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2023-10-14 with total page 411 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The goal of this textbook is to equip readers with as structured knowledge of soft robotics as possible. Seeking to overcome the limitations of conventional robots by making them more flexible, gentle and adaptable, soft robotics has become one of the most active fields over the last decade. Soft robotics is also highly interdisciplinary, bringing together robotics, computer science, material science, biology, etc. After the introduction, the content is divided into three parts: Design of Soft Robots; Soft Materials; and Autonomous Soft Robots. Part I addresses soft mechanisms, biological mechanisms, and soft manipulation & locomotion. In Part II, the basics of polymer, biological materials, flexible & stretchable sensors, and soft actuators are discussed from a materials science standpoint. In turn, Part III focuses on modeling & control of continuum bodies, material intelligence, and information processing using soft body dynamics. In addition, the latest research results and cutting-edge research are highlighted throughout the book. Written by a team of researchers from highly diverse fields, the work offers a valuable textbook or technical guide for all students, engineers and researchers who are interested in soft robotics.

Download or read book Biology of Behaviour written by Donald M. Broom and published by CUP Archive. This book was released on 1981-10-30 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is an introduction to studies of the behaviour of a wide variety of animals including man, farm animals and pest species.

Download or read book The Design and Development of Biologically inspired Soft Robots written by Elizabeth Victoria Mangan and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Design Fabrication and Control of Soft Robots with Fluidic Elastomer Actuators written by Andrew Dominic Marchese and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The goal of this thesis is to explore how autonomous robotic systems can be created with soft elastomer bodies powered by fluids. In this thesis we innovate in the design, fabrication, control, and experimental validation of both single and multi-segment soft fluidic elastomer robots. First, this thesis describes an autonomous fluidic elastomer robot that is both self-contained and capable of rapid, continuum body motion. Specifically, the design, modeling, fabrication, and control of a soft fish is detailed, focusing on enabling the robot to perform rapid escape responses. The robot employs a compliant body with embedded actuators emulating the slender anatomical form of a fish. In addition, the robot has a novel fluidic actuation system that drives body motion and has all the subsystems of a traditional robot on-board: power, actuation, processing, and control. At the core of the fish's soft body is an array of Fluidic Elastomer Actuators (FEAs). The fish is designed to emulate escape responses in addition to forward swimming because such maneuvers require rapid body accelerations and continuum body motion. These maneuvers showcase the performance capabilities of this self-contained robot. The kinematics and controllability of the robot during simulated escape response maneuvers are analyzed and compared to studies on biological fish. During escape responses, the soft-bodied robot is shown to have similar input-output relationships to those observed in biological fish. The major implication of this portion of the thesis is that a soft fluidic elastomer robot is shown to be both self-contained and capable of rapid body motion. Next, this thesis provides an approach to planar manipulation using soft fluidic elastomer robots. That is, novel approaches to design, fabrication, kinematic modeling, power, control, and planning as well as extensive experimental evaluations with multiple manipulator prototypes are presented. More specifically, three viable manipulator morphologies composed entirely from soft silicone rubber are explored, and these morphologies are differentiated by their actuator structures, namely: ribbed, cylindrical, and pleated. Additionally, three distinct casting-based fabrication processes are explored: lamination-based casting, retractable-pin-based casting, and lost-wax- based casting. Furthermore, two ways of fabricating a multiple DOF manipulator are explored: casting the complete manipulator as a whole, and casting single DOF segments with subsequent concatenation. An approach to closed-loop configuration control is presented using a piecewise constant curvature kinematic model, real-time localization data, and novel fluidic drive cylinders which power actuation. Multi-segment forward and inverse kinematic algorithms are developed and combined with the configuration controller to provide reliable task-space position control. Building on these developments, a suite of task-space planners are presented to demonstrate new autonomous capabilities from these soft robots such as: (i) tracking a path in free-space, (ii) maneuvering in confined environments, and (iii) grasping and placing objects. Extensive evaluations of these capabilities with physical prototypes demonstrate that manipulation with soft fluidic elastomer robots is viable. Lastly, this thesis presents a robotic manipulation system capable of autonomously positioning a multi-segment soft fluidic elastomer robot in three dimensions while subject to the self-loading effects of gravity. Specifically, an extremely soft robotic manipulator morphology that is composed entirely from low durometer elastomer, powered by pressurized air, and designed to be both modular and durable is presented. To understand the deformation of a single arm segment, a static physics-based model is developed and experimentally validated. Then, to kinematically model the multi-segment manipulator, a piece-wise constant curvature assumption consistent with more traditional continuum manipulators is used. Additionally, a complete fabrication process for this new manipulator is defined and used to make multiple functional prototypes. In order to power the robot's spatial actuation, a high capacity fluidic drive cylinder array is implemented, providing continuously variable, closed-circuit gas delivery. Next, using real-time localization data, a processing and control algorithm is developed that generates realizable kinematic curvature trajectories and controls the manipulator's configuration along these trajectories. A dynamic model for this multi-body fluidic elastomer manipulator is also developed along with a strategy for independently identifying all unknown components of the system: the soft manipulator, its distributed fluidic elastomer actuators, as well as its drive cylinders. Next, using this model and trajectory optimization techniques locally-optimal, open-loop control policies are found. Lastly, new capabilities offered by this soft fluidic elastomer manipulation system are validated with extensive physical experiments. These are: (i) entering and advancing through confined three-dimensional environments, (ii) conforming to goal shape-configurations within a sagittal plane under closed-loop control, and (iii) performing dynamic maneuvers we call grabs.

Download or read book Soft Robotics written by Alexander Verl and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-03-19 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The research areas as well as the knowledge gained for the practical use of robots are growing and expanding beyond manufacturing and industrial automation, making inroads in sectors such as health care and terrain sensing, as well as general assistive systems working in close interaction with humans. In a situation like this, it is necessary for future robot systems to become less stiff and more specialized by taking inspiration from the mechanical compliance and versatility found in natural materials and organisms. At present, a new discipline is emerging in this area, called »Soft Robotics«. It particularly challenges the traditional thinking of engineers, as the confluence of technologies, ranging from new materials, sensors, actuators and production techniques to new design tools, will make it possible to create new systems whose structures are almost completely made of soft materials, which bring about entirely new functions and behaviors, similar in many ways to natural systems. These Proceedings focus on four main topics: • Soft Actuators and Control • Soft Interactions • Soft Robot Assistants: Potential and Challenges • Human-centered »Soft Robotics«.

Download or read book A New Actuation Approach for Bio inspired Human friendly Robots written by Dong Jun Shin and published by Stanford University. This book was released on 2011 with total page 171 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The increasing demand for physical interaction between humans and robots has led to an interest in robots whose behavior is guaranteed to be safe when they are in close proximity with humans. However, attaining sufficiently high levels of performance while ensuring safety creates formidable challenges in mechanical design, actuation, sensing, and control. To promote safety without compromising performance, a new actuation concept, referred to as hybrid actuation, has been developed. Since low impedance output at high frequencies is essential for robot safety, while optimal passive stiffness is needed for robot performance, the new actuation approach employs a pneumatic artificial muscle as a macro actuator to provide low-frequency torques. Artificial pneumatic muscles provide high force-to-weight ratio and inherent compliance, both of which allow for low impedance actuation. To compensate for the slow and non-linear dynamics of pneumatic actuation, a small electromagnetic actuator collocated at the robot's joint is employed as a mini actuator, which provides high mechanical bandwidth for high performance without increasing the inertia and size of the manipulator. To achieve the appropriate balance between safety and performance, design methodologies were developed that optimally determine key design parameters such as the required mini motor torque capacity, the joint stiffness introduced by an antagonistic pair of muscles, and the pulley radius. Using a testbed, referred to as the Stanford Safety Robot (S2rho), the hybrid actuation was evaluated for position tracking performance, force tracking performance, and impact behavior. The experimental results demonstrate that by significantly improving control performance with the hybrid actuation over performance with pneumatic muscles alone, while reducing the effective inertia significantly, the competing design objectives of safety and performance can be successfully integrated into a single robotic manipulator. As an extension of the hybrid actuation concept, the new design of dual four-degree-of-freedom robotic arms with torso is presented and detailed descriptions of the design are included.

Download or read book Soft Robotics written by Alexander Verl and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-03-13 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The research areas as well as the knowledge gained for the practical use of robots are growing and expanding beyond manufacturing and industrial automation, making inroads in sectors such as health care and terrain sensing, as well as general assistive systems working in close interaction with humans. In a situation like this, it is necessary for future robot systems to become less stiff and more specialized by taking inspiration from the mechanical compliance and versatility found in natural materials and organisms. At present, a new discipline is emerging in this area, called »Soft Robotics«. It particularly challenges the traditional thinking of engineers, as the confluence of technologies, ranging from new materials, sensors, actuators and production techniques to new design tools, will make it possible to create new systems whose structures are almost completely made of soft materials, which bring about entirely new functions and behaviors, similar in many ways to natural systems. These Proceedings focus on four main topics: • Soft Actuators and Control • Soft Interactions • Soft Robot Assistants: Potential and Challenges • Human-centered »Soft Robotics«.

Download or read book Electroactive Polymers for Robotic Applications written by Kwang J. Kim and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-01-17 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book covers the fundamental properties, modeling, and demonstration of Electroactive polymers in robotic applications. It particularly details artificial muscles and sensors. In addition, the book discusses the properties and uses in robotics applications of ionic polymer–metal composite actuators and dielectric elastomers.

Download or read book Electroactivity in Polymeric Materials written by Lenore Rasmussen and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-03-02 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Electroactivity in Polymeric Materials provides an in-depth view of the theory of electroactivity and explores exactly how and why various electroactive phenomena occur. The book explains the theory behind electroactive bending (including ion-polymer-metal-composites –IPMCs), dielectric elastomers, electroactive contraction, and electroactive contraction-expansion cycles. The book also balances theory with applications – how electroactivity can be used – drawing inspiration from the manmade mechanical world and the natural world around us.

Download or read book Biologically Inspired Approach for Robot Design and Control written by Jianguo Zhao and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 173 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: