Flexible Robotics Solutions for Diverse Applications

This is a class of electrically actuated robotic modules that provide high-speed (a peak contractile strain rate of 4618% per second, 15.8-hertz bandwidth, and a peak specific power of 122 watts per kilogram), high-strain (49% contraction) actuation and that use magnets for reversible mechanical and electrical connections between neighbouring modules, thereby serving as building blocks for rapidly reconfigurable and highly agile robotic systems. #research #paper: https://lnkd.in/d9HJk9Z4 #authors: Zachary Yoder, Ellen Rumley, Ingemar Schmidt, Rothemund Philipp, Christoph Keplinger Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, University of Colorado Boulder Robots made from reconfigurable modular units feature versatility, cost efficiency, and improved sustainability compared with fixed designs. Reconfigurable modules driven by soft actuators provide adaptable actuation, safe interaction, and wide design freedom, but existing soft modules would benefit from high-speed and high-strain actuation, as well as driving methods well-suited to untethered operation.

Small parts; big problem. Here's how we used robotic flex feeding to solve precision placement problems and operator fatigue, all while boosting productivity. This project had several key challenges: ↳The similar diameters at the top and bottom of the brass components caused bowl feeding difficulties, leading to jams and misfeeds. ↳The threaded brass components were small and challenging for operators to handle manually, making precision placement difficult and increasing the risk of operator fatigue or errors during repetitive tasks. ↳Placing components at eight discrete locations on a single part demanded a high degree of precision and flexibility. ↳The goal was to allow operators to focus on more complex and value-added tasks rather than repetitive component placement. Why Robotic Flex Feeding Worked ✅ Flex feeders, combined with vision systems, can recognize and adjust the orientation of parts dynamically, eliminating the need for perfectly uniform feeding. ✅ Robotic systems are particularly effective at managing small and intricate parts, providing consistent precision that would be difficult for operators to maintain manually. ✅ Robotic systems can be programmed to handle multiple placement locations with high repeatability, meeting the eight-location requirement seamlessly. ✅ The robotic flex feeding system allows for quick reprogramming or retooling for part design changes, ensuring adaptability to future needs without significant downtime. ✅ Flex feeding reduces downtime caused by jams or reconfigurations, improving overall efficiency. ✅ Automating this task freed operators to handle more complex responsibilities, aligning with the goal of workforce optimization. Potential Additional Benefits: The system can adapt to new part designs or configurations, ensuring long-term flexibility. Vision-guided robotics improve accuracy and reduce defects compared to manual or bowl-fed solutions. Elimination of bowl feeder jams translates to higher uptime and productivity. Removing the need for operators to handle small, intricate parts reduces physical strain and the likelihood of human error. --- The flex feeding solution surpassed expectations. Our customer's operators now tackle higher-value tasks that machines can't replicate. Need help evaluating if robotic flex feeding fits your process? Send me a message.

🤖🔬 Revolutionizing Soft Robotics Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have unveiled a game-changing "soft valve" technology that integrates sensors and control valves into soft robots without compromising their flexibility. This breakthrough paves the way for safer, adaptable, and electronics-free soft robots that can be used in various applications. From delicate item handling to wearable elbow support, the future of robotics is looking soft and innovative! 💡🤯 In the world of soft robotics, where flexibility and safety are paramount, researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have achieved a remarkable breakthrough. They've developed a "soft valve" technology that seamlessly integrates sensors and control valves into soft robots, all while maintaining their softness and adaptability. Traditionally, soft robots have relied on rigid electronic components for sensing and control. This new approach creates soft analogs of these components that operate solely using air pressure, eliminating the need for electricity-dependent parts. This groundbreaking technology has a wide range of applications. For instance, the researchers created universal tongs capable of delicately picking up fragile items like potato chips, preventing breakage. They also developed wearable elbow assist robots that reduce muscle strain during repetitive or strenuous activities. The soft valve operates by utilizing air flow within a tube-shaped structure, allowing for precise and flexible movements without relying on electrical power. The researchers demonstrated that different structures and thread configurations within the tube can control airflow variations, providing customization for specific situations. This innovation marks a significant step towards fully soft, electronics-free robots capable of autonomous operation, enhancing safety and adaptability in various industries. Stay informed, stay curious! 🌐📚 Science never ceases to amaze! 🌟✨ 🏛️ Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology 👩🔬 Jun Kyu Choe, Junsoo Kim, hyeonseo Song, Joonbum Bae & Jiyun Kim 📄 Article: "A soft, self-sensing tensile valve for perceptive soft robots" in Nature Communications (2023) #Innovation #Technology #Creativity #Future #Entrepreneurship #Startups #softrobotics #korea https://lnkd.in/guh4EWcv

Robots with tentacles, designed with a logarithmic spiral structure reminiscent of natural organisms, offer versatile applications. Due to their scalable nature made possible by 3D printing, these robots can be tailored for various purposes. Their cable actuation ensures quick, lifelike movements, and their octopus-inspired grasping strategy enables them to handle diverse objects. Potential applications cld be: Medical Field: Miniaturized grippers could assist in delicate surgical procedures, reaching areas that are difficult for traditional tools. Search and Rescue: Mounted on drones, these robots can navigate through debris to locate and extract trapped individuals, or handle hazardous materials safely. Manufacturing and Assembly: Multi-robot arrays can manage and manipulate components with precision, adapting to different shapes and weights efficiently. Agriculture: Using their flexible grip, they can harvest fruits and vegetables without causing damage, enhancing productivity. Underwater Exploration: Their natural design is ideal for underwater environments, allowing for the study and documentation of marine life with minimal disturbance.

Octopus-Inspired Robots: Nature's Design Solves Industry's Toughest Challenges Fascinating developments in soft robotics are revolutionizing how machines interact with complex environments. Tentacle-inspired robots - with their flexible, adaptable appendages - are solving challenges traditional rigid robots cannot. These biomimetic systems excel at: Handling delicate objects without damage Navigating tight or irregular spaces Working safely alongside humans Just visited a manufacturing facility implementing octopus-inspired grippers that can handle everything from microchips to produce. The precision is remarkable! Engineers are finding inspiration in nature's designs that evolved over millions of years. These flexible systems represent not just technological advancement, but a fundamental shift in how we think about machine-environment interaction. What applications do you see for tentacle-based robotics in your industry? The possibilities seem endless. #FutureOfRobotics #BiomimeticDesign #TechInnovation #SoftRobotics

Last week I visited three of our Locus Robotics sites near Chicago. From beauty to apparel to industrial spare parts, it was incredible to see firsthand how versatile our robots are in handling such diverse order profiles and spikes in volume. 🚀 Here are 5 things I saw last week that show how flexible robotics is transforming warehouses: 1️⃣ Each site started small and scaled. Two have now scaled up to ~200 bots! 2️⃣ Ability to create “fast pick” zones for pallet-pick workflows that deliver G2P/ASRS-level UPH — with no fixed infrastructure. 3️⃣ Beyond the bots, our AI-powered software is dynamically optimizing orders in real time based on SLAs - critical for those same day rush orders. 4️⃣ Sites will add flex capacity based on their latest projections for peak season. We deliver temporary flexbots that are incredibly easy to deploy for a few weeks. 5️⃣ One site was operating a mixed fleets of Origins (80lb payload) and Vectors (600lb payload) — sharing chargers and handling a wide range of SKUs in the same pick environment. With 350+ sites across 19 countries, it’s clear why flexible automation is outpacing fixed automation by a wide margin. The new advances in AI will continue to drive more flexibility and innovation in the warehouse. Exciting times!