BionicMotionRobot

Year

2017

The idea

The flowing movements of the octopus are emulated by a flexible lightweight robot with twelve degrees of freedom.

The objective

The pneumatic robotic system represents a new form of human-robot collaboration: the operator and the robot can work on a component at the same time without risk to the human.

Technical data

Overall length: 85 cm
Diameter: 13/10 cm
Degrees of freedom: 12
Weight of robot arm: 2.950 kg
Lifting capacity: 2.950 kg
Operating pressure: 3 bar
Repetition accuracy: ±10 mm

Design

The arm consists of three flexible basic segments, each moved by four pneumatic bellows. An optical shape sensor registers the position, shape, and interactions of the entire kinematics.

Fibre technology

The elastomer bellows are covered with a special knitted 3D textile mesh. Expansion is permitted in certain directions, but not in others; this gives rise to both fixed and flexible zones.

Control and regulation

The Festo Motion Terminal ensures precise air pressure metering and flow in all channels; it includes internal control algorithms and fast-switching piezo valves.

Material

BionicMotionRobot