An Arizona State University research team is working to develop stronger, lighter and more versatile robots. The researchers are working to refine actuators — the muscles that robots use.
The bio-inspired muscles differ from traditional robot joints, which are motor-based and have limitations.
The researchers are working to develop lightweight robots that can operate in adverse conditions, like boiling water, and still lift up to 100 times their own weight.
Eric Weissman is a graduate student at ASU.
“It'll comply to its environment and we'll be able to reach and inspect areas that traditional robots wouldn't be able to," he said.
ASU researchers are also working to develop robots that will be able to bend into complex shapes, making them effective resources to use in cluttered or confined spaces.
ASU assistant professor Jiefeng Sun says as robots become more complex and powerful, safety remains a top goal.
“One of our goals — to develop biomimetic and artificial muscles. Eventually, those muscles will be able to power robots that [are] safe and also compliant to us," he said.
Research took place at the university’s Robotic Actuators and Dynamics Lab.
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