3D Printed Synthetic Muscles Allow For Robotics With Realistic Dexterity
The engineers team at Columbia University has managed to create a synthetic muscle that can operate without actuators, compressed air, or pressure regulators. While most robotics require lots of smaller parts and ancillary equipment to function, this one operates on its own. The components of the hand itself are actually softer than any previous iteration of such a project. This allows it to have a delicate touch whilst being able to lift many 1000 times its own weight. The purpose of this is not only to produce strong robotics but to also allow for machines to conduct operations that require the handling of fragile materials such as medical equipment. “This is a big piece of the puzzle and, like biology, the new actuator can be shaped and reshaped a thousand ways. We’ve overcome one of the final barriers to making life-like robots,” said Hod Lipson, lead researcher on the project. 3D Printed Robotics We’ve previously reported on many stories about prosthetics and mimetic arms