Conventional robotic arms have fixed joints and for navigation they require specific instructions too. But this new arm can get through corners without harming itself and also the surrounding environment. The research team, which has designed this arm, is led by Andrew Marchese, and 3D printed moulds have been used for the device. The moulds are soft and they are so soft that motor shafts cannot be even used to power them.
Hollow and expandable channels were used on each side of the arm and these air-filled channels put pressure on the elastic silicone, resulting in expansion which allows it to bend on one side. Team leader Marchese said that when the designing for the arm was going on a question struck the entire team, whether it'll be actually possible to manipulate a robot for own purposes. With this soft robot we remember about the mechanical fish which was released last year by the same laboratory.
The algorithms have been developed for the project by team member Robert Katzschmann, who is a PhD student too, and he ensured that the robot's body curvature is designed in such a way so that it's able to make different motions. The tentacle can be used in search and rescue missions and they will prove better options than the traditional ones as they are more prone to damage in such missions. The team is quite proud of their innovation and it will be demonstrated at IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and System this week only.
Additionally, the arm can also be used to handle delicate specimens in labs and doctors can also benefit from the arm during complicated surgeries. Other educational institutions are developing soft robots too. Check out the following video to have a glimpse at the CSAIL innovation:
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