Octopus-inspired gripper with rapid variable stiffness and OUT-Robot. (IMAGE)

Beijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd

Octopus-inspired gripper with rapid variable stiffness and OUT-Robot.

Caption

The gripper features 6 shape memory polymer (SMP)-embedded arms capable of rapid underwater stiffness tuning. In the soft state, it can perform suction mode or grasping mode, where positive pressure drives the arms before rapid stiffening locks the grasp. Independent arm control enables multiple grasping modes. The OUT-Robot comprises a soft outer layer and a rigid skeleton equipped with the gripper. Its internal drive system achieves jet propulsion swimming and arm-actuated underwater crawling. By adjusting internal shell pressure to control vertical buoyancy, the robot executes a continuous grasping operation cycle.

Credit

Guangming Xie, State Key Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex Systems, Intelligent Biomimetic Design Lab, School of Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics, Peking University.

Usage Restrictions

News organizations may use or redistribute this image, with proper attribution, as part of news coverage of this paper only.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.