Soft Robots Will Squish, Stretch and Squeeze Using Artificial Muscles http://rgn.bz/z7wi

Originally shared by Before It’s News

Soft Robots Will Squish, Stretch and Squeeze Using Artificial Muscles http://rgn.bz/z7wi

Forget steel and aluminum. The robots of tomorrow may be able to squish, stretch and squeeze.

Novel robotic devices, part of the emerging field of soft robotics, offer many advances over conventional robots. Soft robots can more easily maneuver in tough spaces. They can better interact with humans,making them excellent assistants for elderly people. And one day they may lead to high-tech artificial muscles: a life-changing innovation for millions of disabled people around the globe.

Creating artificial muscles requires not only developing a powerful, flexible material, but figuring out how to precisely control and cleverly manufacture it. That’s the mission of Kwang Kim of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded team.

A small 3-D printed ionic polymer-metal composite soft robotic hand. National Science Foundation researchers are working to transform this material into artificial muscles.

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