A Resilient, Untethered Soft Robot

作者:Tolley, Michael T.; Shepherd, Robert F.; Mosadegh, Bobak; Galloway, Kevin C.; Wehner, Michael; Karpelson, Michael; Wood, Robert J.; Whitesides, George M.*
来源:Soft Robotics, 2014, 1(3): 213-223.
DOI:10.1089/soro.2014.0008

摘要

A pneumatically powered, fully untethered mobile soft robot is described. Composites consisting of silicone elastomer, polyaramid fabric, and hollow glass microspheres were used to fabricate a sufficiently large soft robot to carry the miniature air compressors, battery, valves, and controller needed for autonomous operation. Fabrication techniques were developed to mold a 0.65-meter-long soft body with modified Pneu-Net actuators capable of operating at the elevated pressures (up to 138 kPa) required to actuate the legs of the robot and hold payloads of up to 8 kg. The soft robot is safe to interact with during operation, and its silicone body is innately resilient to a variety of adverse environmental conditions including snow, puddles of water, direct (albeit limited) exposure to flames, and the crushing force of being run over by an automobile.

  • 出版日期2014-9