Artificial muscles and soft gripping: a review of technologies and applications

Robert Bogue

doi:10.1108/01439911211268642

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Industrial Robot: An International Journal

ISSN: 0143-991X

Online from: 1973

Subject Area: Mechanical & Materials Engineering

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Artificial muscles and soft gripping: a review of technologies and applications

Document Information:
Title:	Artificial muscles and soft gripping: a review of technologies and applications
Author(s):	Robert Bogue, (Okehampton, UK)
Citation:	Robert Bogue, (2012) "Artificial muscles and soft gripping: a review of technologies and applications", Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Vol. 39 Iss: 6, pp.535 - 540
Keywords:	Alloys, Artificial muscles, Electroactive polymer, Electro-conjugate fluid, Muscles, Pneumatic equipment, Pneumatics, Polymers, Robots, Shape-memory alloy, Soft gripping, Soft robotics
Article type:	Technical paper
DOI:	10.1108/01439911211268642 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a range of artificial muscle and soft gripping technologies for robotic applications. Design/methodology/approach – Following a short introduction, this paper first discusses the role of air muscles and other pneumatic actuation technologies. It then considers electroactive polymer and shape-memory alloys and finally discusses the prospects for various classes of electrohydrodynamic fluids. Findings – This paper shows that a technologically diverse range of novel actuation techniques exist, or are under development, which can act as artificial muscles and soft grippers. They are based on pneumatics, shape changing materials and electrohydrodynamic fluids and have prospects to impart robots with improved or unique capabilities. Originality/value – The paper provides an insight into developments in artificial muscle and soft gripping technologies. These are expected to play a vital role in future robot generations.