Robotics pioneers at Harvard develop an Octopus-modeled robotic limb
In a groundbreaking development, scientists from Harvard and Beihang University are working on a robotic octopus tentacle that mimics the dexterity, flexibility, and gripping power of its biological counterpart. The study, published last month in the journal Soft Robotics, explores the utility of designing soft actuators with a conical geometry, inspired by variations in arm taper angle between different octopus species.
The soft robotic arm functions through two means of control: a valve that applies pressure to bend the arm, and another that, along with the suckers, acts as a vacuum. This design uses soft materials and actuators that allow the arm to bend, stretch, and twist in multiple directions without rigid joints, similar to how octopus tentacles move. Some implementations also include bioinspired adhesives, like the octopus-inspired hydrogel adhesive (OHA), enabling the robot to grasp and release objects gently by adhering to surfaces and then disengaging easily.
The robotic arm, equipped with octopus-like suction cups, can pick up a variety of objects, including eggs, exercise balls, and live crabs. Its conical geometry, inspired by the natural variations in arm taper angle between different octopus species, allows it to adapt to a wide range of object shapes. The researchers are intrigued by this variability in arm taper angle between different octopus species and believe it plays a crucial role in the arm's versatility.
The potential applications of these soft robotic arms are vast. They could revolutionise the medical field, assisting in delicate surgeries or therapies where gentle adherence and manipulation of tissues are critical. For instance, a soft robot could interface with biological tissues safely in procedures like Parkinson's disease support.
In the industrial sector, these robots could handle fragile or irregular-shaped objects that traditional rigid robots struggle with. In search and rescue missions, they could navigate confined or complex environments to retrieve objects or assist trapped individuals. Underwater exploration could benefit from these robots' ability to emulate octopus-like movement for delicate sampling or manipulation in marine environments.
Wearable assistive devices could also be enhanced by these soft robotic arms, providing support or enhanced dexterity for rehabilitation or physical assistance.
The study, led by co-senior author Katia Bertoldi, has resulted in "new insights into the creation of next-generation soft robotic actuators for gripping a wide range of morphologically diverse objects." The research on the robotic arm is part of ongoing efforts to potentially address the need for a versatile robotic appendage. A demonstration of the robotic tentacle's ability to pick up a live crab was showcased at Harvard's Wyss Institute.
In summary, the octopus-inspired soft robotic arms leverage flexible, soft structures and bioinspired adhesive mechanisms to replicate the extraordinary manipulation skills of octopus tentacles, enabling versatile applications especially where delicate, adaptive handling is required.
Science and technology are paving the way for a versatile robotic appendage, inspired by octopus tentacles. These soft robotic arms, developed through a collaborative study between Harvard and Beihang University, embody dexterity, flexibility, and gripping power that mimic their biological counterparts.
