Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers
07:09

Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers

Published on: August 17, 2018

9.0K

Seahorse-Tail-Inspired Soft Pneumatic Actuator: Development and Experimental Characterization.

Michele Gabrio Antonelli1, Pierluigi Beomonte Zobel1, Muhammad Aziz Sarwar1

  • 1Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economy (DIIIE), University of L'Aquila, P.le Pontieri 1, Località Monteluco, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 24, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Resistance Feedback of a Ni-Ti Alloy Actuator at Room Temperature in Still Air.

Micromachines·2024
Same author

A Current-Mode Analog Front-End for Capacitive Length Transducers in Pneumatic Muscle Actuators.

Micromachines·2024
Same author

Two-Dof Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot Driven by Straight Fibers Pneumatic Muscles.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)·2022
Same author

Biomechanical Design and Prototyping of a Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)·2020
Same author

Additive Manufacturing Applications on Flexible Actuators for Active Orthoses and Medical Devices.

Journal of healthcare engineering·2019
Same author

A Telemedicine Robot System for Assisted and Independent Living.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2019

This study presents a novel soft pneumatic actuator inspired by the seahorse tail for multi-legged robots. The biomimetic design achieved significant extension and force, demonstrating potential for robotic locomotion.

Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Biomimetics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Soft robotics leverages soft materials for advanced applications, including bio-inspired structures like polyps and jellyfish.
  • Seahorse tail-inspired grippers have been explored for handling delicate or complex objects.
  • Previous research has focused on various bio-inspired robotic designs for manipulation and locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a novel biomimetic soft pneumatic actuator inspired by the seahorse tail (Hippocampus reidi).
  • To develop a leg for a multi-legged robot using this novel actuator design.
  • To characterize the mechanical performance and actuation properties of the seahorse tail-inspired actuator.

Main Methods:

  • The actuator was prototyped using a 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane reinforcement (skeletal mimic) within a silicone rubber structure (epithelial mimic).
Keywords:
bio-inspired soft pneumatic actuatorexperimental characterizationfinite element analysisseahorse tailsoft robotics

More Related Videos

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots
08:47

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Published on: November 8, 2019

7.6K
Manufacturing, Control, and Performance Evaluation of a Gecko-Inspired Soft Robot
07:40

Manufacturing, Control, and Performance Evaluation of a Gecko-Inspired Soft Robot

Published on: June 10, 2020

13.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers
07:09

Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers

Published on: August 17, 2018

9.0K
Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots
08:47

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Published on: November 8, 2019

7.6K
Manufacturing, Control, and Performance Evaluation of a Gecko-Inspired Soft Robot
07:40

Manufacturing, Control, and Performance Evaluation of a Gecko-Inspired Soft Robot

Published on: June 10, 2020

13.9K
  • Pneumatic actuation was achieved through an internal channel within the silicone structure, mimicking muscle function.
  • Mechanical characterization involved isotonic and isometric tests, along with activation/deactivation time measurements.

    • Main Results:

    • The actuator prototype demonstrated a full distension of 154.5 mm at 1.8 bar.
    • A maximum force of 11.9 N was achieved during testing.
    • Activation and deactivation times were recorded at 74.9 ms and 94.5 ms, respectively.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed biomimetic actuator effectively mimics the seahorse tail's function for robotic applications.
    • The novel design, combining 3D printing and soft materials, shows promise for creating robust robotic legs.
    • The actuator's performance metrics support its potential use in multi-legged robots requiring versatile locomotion.