Wireless Flexible Actuator Photoelectric Synergistically Driven for Environment Adaptability Crawling Robots

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Materials Science
• Actuator Technology

Background:

• Flexible actuators are essential for robotic crawling but face limitations in complex environments.
• Wireless actuation offers enhanced mobility but requires efficient power and control mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a wirelessly driven flexible actuator with enhanced crawling capabilities for complex terrains.
• To investigate the synergistic effect of wireless power transmission and near-infrared light on actuator performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a multi-layered actuator using poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graphene oxide (PDMS-GO), eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn), PDMS, and polyimide (PI).
• Optimization of EGaIn parameters and PDMS-GO concentration for improved bending and blocking force.
• Integration of crawling structures to create a flexible crawling robot with differential friction.

Main Results:

• The optimized actuator demonstrated excellent bending ability and blocking force under photoelectronic synergy.
• The flexible crawling robot exhibited high stability, large deformation, and effective crawling on various surfaces (plane, slope, rough terrain).
• Successful wireless crawling was achieved, showcasing high environmental adaptability.

Conclusions:

• The synergistic WPT and NIR light-driven actuator offers a promising solution for wireless flexible robotic crawling.
• The developed crawling robot demonstrates significant potential for applications in complex and unstructured environments.
• This research provides a novel approach for advancing wireless robotics in challenging terrains.