Pursue the creation of scientists and engineers who have been moving and interacting like humans for a long time. The main challenge of this pursuit is to develop actuators or components that can enhance exercise. It can copy the physiological characteristics of human muscles, such as variable rigidity. Traditional design usually lacks its ability to rigidly adapt to different tasks, thereby limiting its performance and security. Imagine a new type of actuator seamlessly combined with soft and rigid characteristics to adapt to its stiffness and on demand to deal with various challenges. Now, this vision is closer to reality, thereby bringing the potential of robots that harmoniously cooperate with humans and its environment to robots.
Some eye -catching things have appeared in robotics, which provides a new way to replicate human muscle function. Professor Ning Xi of the University of Hong Kong and his team have developed a cut -cut string -type string actuator. Their works were published in the “Scientific Reports that are highly praised”, showing artificial muscles, which dynamically adjusted its rigidity to meet different needs, which marked major progress in the robot technology inspirational robotic technology.
The actuator integrates a twisted string mechanism, which converts the rotation movement into a linear movement and has a shear gel with a special formula. The gel will harden when it is rapid. This combination enables the system to adjust its stiffness and elasticity according to the distortion speed. At a high speed, gels have changed from soft -state to rigid state, which significantly enhances the ability to transmit power. For example, compared with lower speeds, the elasticity of the actuator increases by about three times at a higher distortion speed. This flexibility allows these systems to imitate the extensive stiffness of human muscles, thereby realizing safe and effective human robotic interactions.
Human physiology provides inspiration for design, especially the human body’s ability to regulate muscle stiffness, from raising heavy objects to performing subtle movements. Professor XI explained: “By integrating shear gels, we aim to create a actuator, which not only copies the natural stiffness of the muscles, but also provides a practical solution for wearable robots.” Their unique design combines high high design. The intensity Kafera and Dinama fibers are famous for their special durability and mildness, and are coated with gel, which produces lightweight, flexible, and can produce considerable power.
Thorough tests show that compared with lower speeds, the actuator has significantly increased its elasticity at a maximum distortion speed. The ability of this dynamic regulating stiffness highlights its potential for application in prosthetic, exoskeleton and rehabilitation equipment. Poor limbs refer to artificial equipment that replaces the lack of body parts, while exoskeleton is a wearable robot system to enhance human mobility and strength. Such a system can effectively support human muscles by compensating for exercise losses, thereby providing special benefits for people who have mobility challenges or weakened age -related muscles.
The research results emphasize the adaptability and efficiency of the actuator. By adjusting the twist speed, the system has reached different stiffness and elastic levels, which is very similar to the mechanical behavior of human muscles. In addition, observe that the ability to generate power or the ability to generate exercise and support under strain is significantly improved at a higher twist speed, which makes this technology a promising solution for tasks that require strength and accuracy.
The discovery of Professor XI and colleagues emphasized the potential of the executors to completely change the potential of wearable robotic technology and auxiliary technology. Professor XI pointed out: “This development has brought about the gap between the artificial system and the inspiration of biology, which provides the future for robots and humans to seamlessly collaborate.” Its compact design and multifunctional characteristics make it applicable to wide applications. Including robot limbs, wearable auxiliary robots and rehabilitation devices.
Through the characteristics of the characteristics of materials and the science of advanced materials for application and the integration of biological inspirational projects, it has attracted ideas from nature to solve human challenges. The foundation. With the development of technology, it has the hope of changing life, especially for people who need to enhance travel or physical assistance.
Journal reference
ZHANG Q., Xue Y., Zhao Y., ZOU K., Yuan W., Tian Y., Chen J., Chen J., Chen J. Transparent Scientific Report, 2024, 14 (4710). Doi: https: //doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55405-x
About the author
Professor Ning Twelve Received D.SC. In December 1993, the University of Washington, San Louis, Missouri, the University of Washington, the University of DC. At present, he is the chairman of the robot and automation, the director of the Institute of Senior Technology, and the head of the Department of Data and System Engineering, Hong Kong University. Before joining the University of Hong Kong, he was a professor at the Outstanding University of Michigan State University, a professor of John D. Ryde Electric and computer engineering, as well as the director of the robot and automation laboratory. Professor XI is an academician of IEEE. He also served as the chairman of the IEEE Nano Mimetric Committee (2010-2011) and the chairman of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (2018). His research interests include robotics, artificial intelligence, manufacturing automation, micro/nano -manufacturing, nano -biotechnology, sensors and intelligent control and systems.
