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With excellent flexibility and adaptability, soft inflatable robots are becoming the light of the future in many applications. However, seamlessly integrating sensing and control systems into these robots has been a tricky challenge, as it must be done without compromising the robot's softness, form factor, or performance.
A research team led by Prof. Jiyun Kim (Department of New Materials Engineering, UNIST) and Prof. Jonbum Bae (Department of Mechanical Engineering, UNIST) has made a huge breakthrough in this field by successfully developing an innovative solution known as "soft valve" technology, which enables the full integration of sensors and control valves. While maintaining the softness of the robot.
Traditionally, the body of a soft robot has had to coexist with rigid electronic components to enable sensing functions. This challenge has given rise to "soft valve" technology, an integrated solution that blends sensors and control valves together without impeding the robot's softness. The technology uses soft analog sensors and control valves, components that do not require electricity to operate.
These tubular components have a dual function: they are able to detect external stimuli, while using air pressure to precisely control the robot's movements.
This breakthrough means that soft robots no longer need to rely on rigid electronic components for sensing and control. Traditional soft robots have flexible bodies, but often require hard electronic components for stimulus detection and drive control. However, the advent of soft valve technology has given these robots greater autonomy and adaptability.
This research also brings a wide range of application prospects. The research team created universal pliers that are able to cleverly grip fragile items, such as potato chips, avoiding the possibility of excessive force that can result in breakage when traditionally rigid robots pick up objects.
In addition, the research team has successfully developed wearable elbow-assisted robots designed to reduce the burden on muscles when performing repetitive tasks or jobs that require strenuous arm activity. These elbow supports automatically adjust to the bend Angle of the individual's arm, reducing stress by an average of 63 percent and making wearing the robot more comfortable.
The core principle of soft valve technology is to use the air flow in the tubular structure to operate. When tension is applied to one end of the tube, the internal thread compresses it, thereby controlling the inflow and outflow of gas. This unique movement, similar to an accordion, enables precise and flexible robot movement without the need for electricity.
The research team also found that by programming the structure or number of threads in the tube, they could accurately control changes in the airflow. This programmability allows the robot to be tailored to different situations and requirements while remaining flexible in response to external forces.
Professor Bae said: "These newly developed components can be easily programmed with materials to be used without the need for electronics. This breakthrough will greatly promote the advancement of various wearable systems."
This breakthrough soft valve technology marks a major step toward enabling the autonomous operation of fully soft, electronic-free robots, an important milestone in enhancing safety and adaptability across multiple industries. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, open up new possibilities for the future of soft robotics. This technology is expected to play a key role in healthcare, manufacturing and many other fields, bringing greater convenience and innovation to our lives and work.