Shaped like a wilted flower, this gripper robot is capable of lifting objects 100 times heavier than its own body.
As Daniela Rus, a professor at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), told The Verge: ” If someone asked you to imagine a robot, you might think. about a humanoid robot or an industrial robotic arm. But for me, I want to see a change.”
The latest work from her team at MIT is a perfect example of that idea. It is like a robot handle designed to pick up objects but its appearance looks unique. On the surface, it is more like a rubber tulip or a deflated balloon than a robotic hand.
But don’t be too quick to underestimate this robotic arm as it is a very useful clamping tool. Beneath its rubber skin is an origami-inspired mechanical structure shaped like a starfish. When air is pumped into the rubber shell, it inflates to cover the object before squeezing tightly to hold and lift the object.
Not only capable of lifting objects, this interesting robotic arm can also return objects to their former positions very professionally.
The robot can pick up fragile objects without damaging them. With a strong enough grip, it can still grip and lift objects up to 100 times its own weight. The team tested this robotic arm with various items from fruits, vegetables, bottles or cans of water, etc.
This gripper robot is a better solution than any previous idea, says Rus. Its tulip shape makes it possible to approach objects from all different angles. Contrary to some other hand grip robots, which are often limited in approach angle
Professor Rus expressed his pleasure to be able to create this robotic hand and he hopes it can soon be applied in grocery stores, factories, logistics, etc. However, he also said, the research team Research will still have to solve many limitations of this robotic arm before moving towards commercialization.
Although much of the work in today’s factories is automated, humans still play the most important role in handling and packing individual items.
Caused by traditional robots made of metal and hard plastic. These are all materials that can easily damage fragile, fragile items. Therefore, the addition of these robotic arms could make handling fragile goods more efficient.