Engineers at NUS have discovered “robotic” muscles that can carry loads 80 times their own weight and stretch to five times the original length with the load.
These new artificial muscles could potentially convert and store energy to power the robots after charging for less than a minute.
The feat represents a first in robotics, paving the way for the building of human-like robots with superhuman power and capability.
The team is headed by Dr Adrian Koh from NUS’ Engineering Science Programme and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
A conventional robot can lift loads only half its own weight – somewhat equivalent to an average human’s strength – owing to the limitations imposed by its muscles. Furthermore, artificial muscles are known to extend to only three times the original length when similarly stressed; the amount of extensibility also reflects the efficiency of the muscles when performing operations.
Dr Koh said: “Our materials mimic those of the human muscle, responding quickly to electrical impulses, instead of slowly for mechanisms driven by hydraulics.” He explained that robots move jerkily because of this mechanism.
By using elastic polymers which could be stretched over 10 times their original length, the researchers emulate human muscles which are pliable, extendable and react in a fraction of a second. Robots armed with such muscles are able to function in a more human-like manner.
A bonus by-product of the muscles is energy when mechanical energy turns into electrical energy. Dr Koh calculated that a 10kg electrical generator made from these materials is capable of producing the same energy of a 1-ton electrical turbine.
The Latest Bing News on:
Artificial muscle
- ‘To the Future’: Saudi Arabia Spends Big to Become an A.I. Superpoweron April 24, 2024 at 9:00 pm
The oil-rich kingdom is plowing money into glitzy events, computing power and artificial intelligence research, putting it in the middle of an escalating U.S.-China struggle for technological ...
- Meet your new IT superhero: Citizen developers flex their AI muscleson April 22, 2024 at 11:06 am
IT functions are increasingly being delivered and maintained by hybrid pros with one foot in the business and the other in technology.
- New refrigerator runs by flexing its artificial muscleson April 17, 2024 at 4:13 pm
A team of researchers from Saarland University and the Center for Mechatronics and Automation Technology (ZeMa) has developed what it claims is the world’s first refrigerator that cools using ...
- Researchers discover how gut muscle can be vital for growth, repair and treatmentson April 17, 2024 at 9:44 am
By discovering how a type of smooth muscle—which is essential for mechanical aspects of absorbing fats from food—forms in the gut, Cornell scientists have opened doors to making artificial muscle, ...
- Engineers design soft and flexible 'skeletons' for muscle-powered robotson April 8, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Engineers designed modular, spring-like devices to maximize the work of live muscle fibers so they can be harnessed to power biohybrid robots.
- Elastocaloric cooling: Refrigerator cools by flexing artificial muscleson April 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Elastocaloric cooling: Refrigerator cools by flexing artificial muscles. ScienceDaily . Retrieved April 23, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com / releases / 2024 / 04 / 240402192607.htm ...
- Micro-massaging—'artificial muscles' help fractured leg bones heal betteron March 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm
But these artificial muscles also have their own intrinsic sensor properties. "When the wires change shape, so too does their electrical resistance. We can assign precise resistance values to even ...
- Hannover Messe: Micro-massaging – 'Artificial muscles' help fractured leg bones heal betteron March 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The team of engineers led by Professors Stefan Seelecke and Paul Motzki have equipped the implant with smart 'artificial muscles'. Fabricated from shape memory wires, these 'muscles' provide a way ...
- Global Artificial Muscle Market Projected to Substantial Grow at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2024 to 2031on March 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Artificial Muscle is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 10.7% during the forecast period 2024-2031, owing to the increasing demand for advanced medical devices and robotics applications.
- Taking A Stroll Down Uncanny Valley With The Artificial Muscle Robotic Armon October 27, 2021 at 6:17 pm
While the creators of the Artificial Muscles Robotic Arm are fairly quiet about how it works, perusing through the [Automaton Robotics] YouTube Channel does shed some light on the matter.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Artificial muscle
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Artificial muscle” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Robotic muscles
- Blue Arbor wins FDA breakthrough nod for neuromuscular interfaceon April 24, 2024 at 7:25 am
Blue Arbor Technologies announced today that it received FDA breakthrough device designation for its Restore neuromuscular interface system.
- You Can Now Buy A Totally Legal Flame-Throwing Robot Dog Because Americaon April 24, 2024 at 6:26 am
You can buy some pretty wild things in America in 2024. There’s fun stuff like an American muscle car that packs more than 1,000 hp, a keychain that lets you hack your neighbors car (sort of), and now ...
- The robots are coming ... for your weddingon April 24, 2024 at 3:03 am
NEW YORK — After the vows, the champagne toasts, the filet mignon and the first dance between the bride and groom — after all the normal wedding stuff — came the cue. The cue for the abnormal wedding ...
- Does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Really Supercharge Your Workouts?on April 23, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) workouts are having a moment—not for the first time, and probably not for the last—based on their futuristic vibes and the fitness industry’s constant quest to sell ...
- AI helps researchers understand insect wing design in more detailon April 19, 2024 at 2:10 am
In a remarkable scientific achievement, researchers have made significant strides in understanding the intricate biomechanics of insect wings, with a ...
- Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery: When To Consider, Benefits And Recovery Timeon April 16, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Offering patients immediate and tangible outcomes, Robotic Knee Replacement stands out by utilizing a pre-programmed robotic arm. This advanced technology aids surgeons in replacing only the ...
- This robot can tell when you’re about to smile — and smile backon April 15, 2024 at 9:00 am
In a study published March 27 in Science Robotics, researchers detail how they trained Emo to smile in sync with humans. Emo can predict a human smile 839 milliseconds before it happens and smile back ...
- The 5 best robot vacuums for pet hair in 2024on April 12, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Some of the latest robot vacuums are designed specifically to pick up dirt, dust and pet hair from carpets and hard flooring -- without you having to expend any effort. The experts at CBS ...
- What is Robotics Engineering?on April 12, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Robotics engineering is a multidisciplinary field including electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering. It deals with designing, building, operating, and engineering robots and robotic systems ...
- Game-Changing Design a Major Breakthrough in the Development of Muscle-Powered “Biohybrid Robotics”on April 11, 2024 at 4:37 am
New MIT flexure design could be a game-changer for biohybrid robotics and the development of muscle-powered machines.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Robotic muscles
[google_news title=”” keyword=”robotic muscles” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]