The present invention relates to a new pneumatic-actuated multifunctional doming actuator. The doming actuator can be used as a doming actuator, which can maintain machine/robotic operation on vertical surfaces without falling. The doming actuators exhibit rapid switchable adhesion/deadhesion on target surfaces upon pressurizing/depressurizing the embedded spiral pneumatic channels. The present invention also relates to novel load-carrying and climbing soft robots using the doming actuators. The soft robots are operable on a wide range of horizontal and vertical surfaces including dry, wet, slippery, smooth, and semi-smooth surfaces. In addition, the doming actuators can be used as a driving actuator for swimming soft robotics and as an actuator for soft grippers.

A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator that includes generating a tube configuration with one or more shapes of fluid-impermeable membrane material, the tube configuration having a first tube end and a second tube end and an internal tube face and an external tube face. The method also includes coupling a first and second interface to the tube configuration at the first and second tube ends by respectively coupling each interface to the tube configuration at a respective tube end by generating at least one of: a first circumferential bond between the fluid-impermeable membrane material and one or more sidewalls of the interface; and an external face bond between fluid-impermeable membrane material at the tube end onto an external face of the interface.

The present disclosure provides an actuator including a pouch which is sealed and formed with an asymmetric structure, a dielectric fluid which is filled in the pouch, and an electrode which is attached to one surface of the pouch and the other surface opposite the one surface, wherein the pouch includes a first part provided on one side and having a predetermined area, and a second part provided on the other side opposite the one side and having a smaller area than the first part, and when power is applied to the electrodes, the first part or the second part of the pouch is expandable by movement of the dielectric fluid due to the asymmetric structure, and an active plate having the same.

A continuum arm robot comprising: a tool, a tip section comprising a number of sections a manipulatable robotic section having multiple degrees of freedom, a stiffening section comprising a passive core with an inflatable section surrounding the passive core and a valve for allowing a fluid into the inflatable outer; and a passive section comprising a length of flexible conduit, wherein the core of the passive section and the stiffening section contain the cables for manipulating the tip section and the fluid conduit for supplying the fluid to the inflatable outer.

An artificial muscle including a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the housing defining an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, a strain sensor integrated into at least one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion of the housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region to deform the strain sensor.

Exemplary embodiments relate to applications for soft robotic actuators in the manufacturing, packaging, and food preparation industries, among others. Methods and systems are disclosed for packaging target objects using soft robotic actuators, for moving and positioning target objects and/or receptacles, and/or for diverting or sorting objects. By using soft robotic actuators to perform the fixing, positioning, and/or diverting, objects of different sizes and configurations may be manipulated on the same processing line, without the need to reconfigure the line or install new hardware when a new object is received.

A pneumatic exomuscle system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The pneumatic exomuscle system includes a pneumatic module; a plurality of pneumatic actuators each operably coupled to the pneumatic module via at least one pneumatic line, a portion of the pneumatic actuators configured to be worn about respective body joints of a user; and a control module operably coupled to the pneumatic module, the control module configured to control the pneumatic module to selectively inflate portions of the pneumatic actuators.

Provided is a soft growing robot which may be precisely controlled by reducing the effect of a tail tension applied to its inner periphery, the soft growing robot including: a case having one open side; and a vine including an outer periphery having one end fixed to one side surface of the case, the inner periphery disposed inside the outer periphery while being spaced apart from the outer periphery and extended into the case, a tip connecting the other end of the outer periphery and one end of the inner periphery to each other, and a tip space formed by the outer periphery, the tip and the inner periphery, and a tip space formed by the outer periphery, the tip and the inner periphery, wherein a diameter of the tip is smaller than a diameter of the outer periphery, thereby forming a bent portion between the tip and the outer periphery.

An artificial muscle system includes an artificial muscle and a power supply. The artificial muscle includes an electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, an electrical insulator membrane fixed to the second electrode, a housing including an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. The power supply includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The positive terminal is electrically coupled to the second electrode. The negative terminal is electrically coupled to the first electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Disclosed is a compact, lightweight hydraulic manipulation system used for underwater applications consisting of two parts: a modulus hybrid underwater manipulator and a compact lightweight hydraulic control framework. The system is used for general underwater work such as underwater sampling, hyperbaric welding, and marine aquaculture.