A Bioinspired Soft Swallowing Robot Based on Compliant Guiding Structure.

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Bio-inspired Engineering

Background:

• Swallowing is a vital biological process for capture, protection, and environmental interaction across diverse organisms.
• Existing robotic systems lack the compliant mechanisms for safe and versatile object manipulation akin to biological swallowing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel soft swallowing robot (SSR) that mimics biological swallowing for versatile object handling.
• To investigate the influence of different working media on the SSR's performance.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a soft swallowing robot featuring a compliant guiding structure with a fluid-filled double thin-walled capsule and a traction body.
• Experimental evaluation of the SSR's performance in air and water environments.

Main Results:

• The developed SSR successfully swallows objects of varying shapes and stiffnesses without causing damage.
• The working medium (air vs. water) significantly impacts the inherent characteristics and performance of the SSR.
• The robot demonstrates capabilities for protecting swallowed objects from squeeze and collision and withstanding high temperatures.

Conclusions:

• The soft swallowing robot offers a promising bio-inspired solution for handling delicate or irregularly shaped objects.
• Further research into working media and design optimization can enhance the SSR's applicability in diverse environments.
• The SSR lays foundational groundwork for advanced soft robotic systems with swallowing functionalities, with potential for practical applications.