Technology Category
Intelligent Robots: ManipulationComputer Vision: Low Level & Physics-based VisionSearch and Optimization: Sampling/Simulation-based Search
Development of Low-Cost and Bidirectional Syringe Pumps for Soft Robotics Applications
🤖 AI Summary
This work addresses the challenge that conventional pneumatic actuation systems struggle to meet the demand for low-cost, high-precision bidirectional pressure control in silicone-based voxel soft robots (Silibots). To overcome this limitation, the authors propose a modular bidirectional syringe pump system constructed from 3D-printed components, off-the-shelf motors, and an open-source programmable platform, enabling independent and parallel control of inflation and vacuuming. This system achieves, for the first time at low cost, precise multi-channel bidirectional airflow regulation. Its hardware modularity and software customizability significantly enhance the flexibility, scalability, and accessibility of soft robotic actuation, offering a standardized and easily deployable drive platform well-suited for both research and educational applications.
Technology Category
Application Category
📝 Abstract
Soft robotics leverages deformable materials to develop robots capable of navigating unstructured and dynamic environments. Silicone Voxel-Based Soft Robots (Silibots) are a type of pneumatically actuated soft robots that rely on the inflation and deflation of their voxels for shape-shifting behaviors. However, traditional pneumatic actuation methods (high pressure solenoids, medical diaphragm pumps, micro compressors, compressed fluid) pose significant challenges due to their limited efficacy, cost, complexity, or lack of precision. This work introduces a low cost and modular syringe pump system, constructed with off the shelf and 3D printed parts, designed to overcome these limitations. The syringe pump system also enhances actuation with the unique ability to pull a vacuum as well pump air into the soft robot. Furthermore, the syringe pump features modular hardware and customizable software, allowing for researchers to tailor the syringe pump to their requirements or operate multiple pumps simultaneously with unique pump parameters. This flexibility makes the syringe pump an accessible and scalable tool that paves the way for broader adoption of soft robotic technologies in research and education.
Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
soft robotics
pneumatic actuation
syringe pump
low-cost
bidirectional
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
bidirectional syringe pump
soft robotics
modular actuation
low-cost pneumatic system
voxel-based robots
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