I-Corps: Soft Robotic Arms as Human-Compatible Machines

I-Corps：作为人类兼容机器的软机械臂

• 批准号: 1946216
• 负责人: Yang Zhang
• 金额: $ 5万
• 依托单位: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2019-12-01 至 2021-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1946216&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Corps; Soft; Robotic; Arms; Human; Corps; Soft; Robotic; Arms; Human

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is to develop soft robotic arms as human-compatible machines for harvesting applications in the agriculture industry. Currently, many fruits and vegetables are harvested by hand, representing un-automated area in an industry that has readily embraced technical advancements. By using soft robotic arms, farmers will be able to automate the processes of harvesting delicate fruits and vegetables without bruising. The implementation of these technologies can potentially ensure the entire crop is reliably and safely harvested in a timely manner. The soft robotics technology, being able to grip and transfer fruits and vegetables without bruising, can potentially significantly impact several agricultural industries.This I-Corps project will further develop a technology platform of soft robotic arms. By adding soft components in traditional robots or radically designing robots with mostly soft materials, soft robotic devices have demonstrated promising capabilities which have enabled many unique applications not possible with traditional robots. Inspired by nature, this project further develops a vasoconstriction-like micro pinch valve which enables localized flow control. Using this valve, it has been possible to build pneumatically-powered tetherless soft actuator prototypes, including soft arms and soft grippers, and demonstrate their advantages, such as flexibility and safety, over traditional robots. Such a soft robotic arm system is capable of navigating around complex obstacles.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发软机器人武器，作为与人类兼容的机器，用于在农业行业收集应用。目前，许多水果和蔬菜都是手工收获的，代表了一个很容易接受技术进步的行业中未自动化的地区。通过使用柔软的机器人臂，农民将能够自动化收集精致的水果和蔬菜而不会瘀伤的过程。这些技术的实施可以潜在地确保及时可靠，安全地收获整个作物。软机器人技术能够抓住和转移水果和蔬菜而不瘀伤，可能会显着影响多个农业行业。这项I-Corps项目将进一步开发一个软机器人武器的技术平台。通过在传统机器人或用柔软材料的根本设计机器人中添加柔软的组件，柔软的机器人设备已显示出有希望的功能，这些功能使传统机器人无法使用许多独特的应用程序。受自然的启发，该项目进一步开发了类似血管收缩的微捏阀，从而实现局部流量控制。使用此阀，可以建立气动驱动的无绳索软执行器原型，包括软臂和柔软的握手，并证明其优势（例如灵活性和安全性）比传统的机器人。这种软机器人的手臂系统能够围绕复杂的障碍进行导航。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并使用基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响审查标准，被认为值得通过评估。