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Robotic tentacles with three-dimensional mobility based on flexible elastomers.

Ramses V Martinez1, Jamie L Branch, Carina R Fish

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|September 11, 2012
PubMed
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Researchers developed soft robotic tentacles using flexible elastomers and soft lithography. These 3D-moving tentacles can grip complex shapes and manipulate delicate objects, with added functionalities for extended capabilities.

Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering

Background:

  • Soft robotic actuators offer advantages in dexterity and safety over rigid counterparts.
  • Fabricating multi-material soft actuators with controlled motion remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop soft robotic tentacles capable of three-dimensional movement through pressurization.
  • To demonstrate the ability of these tentacles to grip complex shapes and manipulate delicate objects.
  • To explore the integration of functional components to enhance actuator capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of soft robotic tentacles using soft lithographic molding.
  • Composition of flexible elastomers with varying tensile strengths to achieve controlled actuation.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Integration of functional components such as needles, cameras, and suction cups.

    • Main Results:

    • Successfully fabricated soft robotic tentacles exhibiting three-dimensional movement upon pressurization.
    • Demonstrated the ability of the actuators to securely grip objects with complex geometries.
    • Showcased the manipulation of delicate items without causing damage.
    • Validated the extended capabilities through the integration of functional components.

    Conclusions:

    • Soft robotic tentacles fabricated via soft lithography offer a versatile platform for manipulation tasks.
    • The ability to integrate diverse functional components significantly broadens the application scope of these soft actuators.
    • This technology holds promise for applications requiring delicate handling and complex manipulation in unstructured environments.