BionicMobileAssistant Mobile robot system with pneumatic gripping hand A changing industry requires a new way for humans, machines and data to interact. In the future, workers and robots will work together more and more closely. For this reason, Festo has been looking intensively into systems that could, for example, relieve people of monotonous or dangerous activities and at the same time pose no risk. Artificial intelligence plays a central role as an enabler. In the Bionic Learning Network, a research alliance between Festo and universities, institutes and development companies, the BionicMobileAssistant is a robot system that moves autonomously in space and can recognise objects, grip them adaptively and work together with humans. Modular assistance system The entire system, which was developed in cooperation with ETH Zurich, has a modular structure and consists of three subsystems: a mobile robot, an electric robot arm and the BionicSoftHand 2.0. The pneumatic gripper is inspired by the human hand and was first presented in 2019. BionicSoftHand 2.0: based on the human hand The human hand – with its unique combination of force, dexterity and fine motor skills – is a true wonder of nature. An important role is played by the thumb, which is positioned opposite the other fingers. This so-called opposability enables us, for example, to clench a fist, to grasp tweezers precisely and to also do delicate work. Pneumatic kinematics with 3D textile knitted fabric So that the BionicSoftHand 2.0 can carry out the movements of the human hand realistically, small valve technology, sensor technology, electronics and mechanical components are integrated in the tightest of spaces. The fingers consist of flexible bellows structures with air chambers, covered by a firm and at the same time pliable textile knit. This makes the hand light, flexible, adaptable and sensitive, yet capable of exerting strong forces. The pneumatic fingers are also still controlled via a compact valve terminal with piezo valves, which is mounted directly on the hand. 01 2 Festo SE & Co. KG
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