MIT Researchers Develop Octopus Inspired Soft Robotic Arm For Getting Around Tight Corners

Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) have developed a soft robotic arm inspired by the design of octopus tentacles that can get through tough corners without a human operator. Unlike traditional robotic arms which have fixed joints and need precise navigation instructions, the soft robotic arm can snake through corners without harming itself and the environment it is being used. The team led by Andrew Marchese prepared the robotic arm with 3D printed moulds. The moulds were so soft that the team could not use motor shafts to power it. They had to attach hollow expandable channels on each side of the arm instead. These channels when filled with air put a strain on the elastic silicone causing it to expand like a balloon and allowing it to bend on one side.


Considering the complex movement process, team member PhD student Robert Katzschmann has developed the algorithms that determine the body curvature needed for the robot to make different motions. The team is proud of the fact that the robotic arm is consists of no hard metallic components and can safely be used to handle delicate objects. The team envisions a future where the soft robotic arm will be used in laboratories to handle delicate specimens and even be capable of performing minimally invasive surgeries. As the team gets ready to show off their creation at this week’s IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and System they have already thought of their next project which involves including a finger like attachment to the arm that can be used to pick up and grip things. Have a look at the demonstration video below before heading to the source link and comment section below.


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