This technology is a deformable bistable flapping mechanism that uses in-plane prestress instability to produce large propulsion and speed in soft robotic applications.
Compared to traditional robotic machinery, soft robots offer improved biocompatibility, safety, and versatility. Drawing from the observation that most biological lifeforms have compliant bodies, soft robots use deformable and resilient material for both their torso and limbs. However, the high mass density and low energy density of the materials used to build soft robots limit the speed, force, and stability of soft robotic devices and, in turn, limit their practical applications.
This technology leverages elastic instability to generate a compliant, bistable flapping fish tail for soft robotic applications. Constructed of semi-rigid materials, the device enables increased propulsion, speed, and energy-storing capabilities without compromising the flexibility and biostability of the device. In addition, this technology enhances robot grasping both in span and speed. Overall, by increasing structural rigidity without compromising flexibility, this technology improves the applicability control and strength of soft robotic applications.
A working prototype of this technology has been experimentally tested with a robotic fish tail in water.
Patent Pending(US20240286298)
IR CU23144
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu
