A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable Structure

Soft robots exhibit significant flexibility but normally lack stability owing to their inherent low stiffness. Current solutions for achieving variable stiffness or implementing lock mechanisms tend to involve complex structures. Additionally, passive solutions like bistable and multistate mechanism...

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Main Authors: Junlong Xiao, Michael Yu Wang, Chao Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-10-01
Series:Advanced Intelligent Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202400091
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author Junlong Xiao
Michael Yu Wang
Chao Chen
author_facet Junlong Xiao
Michael Yu Wang
Chao Chen
author_sort Junlong Xiao
collection DOAJ
description Soft robots exhibit significant flexibility but normally lack stability owing to their inherent low stiffness. Current solutions for achieving variable stiffness or implementing lock mechanisms tend to involve complex structures. Additionally, passive solutions like bistable and multistate mechanisms lack spatial stable characteristics. This study presents a novel shape memory alloy (SMA) modular robot with spatially stable structure, by utilizing gooseneck as the backbone. This is the first time that a concept of spatially stable structure is proposed. When the power is off, the robot can still maintain its current posture in three‐dimensional space and resist external disturbance. The SMA spring and gooseneck are characterized, elucidating the mechanism behind achieving spatial stability. Then, a controller based on the inverse kinematics is designed, and validated by experiments. The results demonstrate the structural stability of the robot. Specifically, it can withstand a maximum external force of 2.5 N (0.0875 Nm) when bent at an angle of 20° without consuming energy. Moreover, with the assistance of the SMA spring, this resistance capacity surpasses 5 N (0.175 Nm).
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spelling doaj-art-342ecc04a55f414fa3547c0d471587952025-08-20T01:47:33ZengWileyAdvanced Intelligent Systems2640-45672024-10-01610n/an/a10.1002/aisy.202400091A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable StructureJunlong Xiao0Michael Yu Wang1Chao Chen2Faculty of Engineering Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 AustraliaSchool of Engineering Great Bay University Songshan Lake Dongguan Guangdong 523000 ChinaFaculty of Engineering Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 AustraliaSoft robots exhibit significant flexibility but normally lack stability owing to their inherent low stiffness. Current solutions for achieving variable stiffness or implementing lock mechanisms tend to involve complex structures. Additionally, passive solutions like bistable and multistate mechanisms lack spatial stable characteristics. This study presents a novel shape memory alloy (SMA) modular robot with spatially stable structure, by utilizing gooseneck as the backbone. This is the first time that a concept of spatially stable structure is proposed. When the power is off, the robot can still maintain its current posture in three‐dimensional space and resist external disturbance. The SMA spring and gooseneck are characterized, elucidating the mechanism behind achieving spatial stability. Then, a controller based on the inverse kinematics is designed, and validated by experiments. The results demonstrate the structural stability of the robot. Specifically, it can withstand a maximum external force of 2.5 N (0.0875 Nm) when bent at an angle of 20° without consuming energy. Moreover, with the assistance of the SMA spring, this resistance capacity surpasses 5 N (0.175 Nm).https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202400091modular robotshape memory alloysoft bending robotspatially stable structure
spellingShingle Junlong Xiao
Michael Yu Wang
Chao Chen
A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable Structure
Advanced Intelligent Systems
modular robot
shape memory alloy
soft bending robot
spatially stable structure
title A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable Structure
title_full A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable Structure
title_fullStr A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable Structure
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable Structure
title_short A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Modular Robot with Spatially Stable Structure
title_sort novel shape memory alloy modular robot with spatially stable structure
topic modular robot
shape memory alloy
soft bending robot
spatially stable structure
url https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202400091
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