A Shape Memory Alloy-Based Soft Actuator Mimicking an Elephant's Trunk.

ABSTRACT: Soft actuators that execute diverse motions have recently been proposed to improve the usability of soft robots. Nature-inspired actuators, in particular, are emerging as a means of accomplishing efficient motions based on the flexibility of natural creatures. In this research, we present an actuator capable of executing multi-degree-of-freedom motions that mimics the movement of an elephant's trunk. Shape memory alloys (SMAs) that actively react to external stimuli were integrated into actuators constructed of soft polymers to imitate the flexible body and muscles of an elephant's trunk. The amount of electrical current provided to each SMA was adjusted for each channel to achieve the curving motion of the elephant's trunk, and the deformation characteristics were observed by varying the

SUBMITTER: Kang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10037410 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature