SoftSnap: Rapid Prototyping of Untethered Soft Robots Using Snap-Together Modules

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Zhao, Luyang, Jiang, Yitao, She, Chun-Yi, Chen, Muhao, Balkcom, Devin
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2024
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author Zhao, Luyang
Jiang, Yitao
She, Chun-Yi
Chen, Muhao
Balkcom, Devin
author_facet Zhao, Luyang
Jiang, Yitao
She, Chun-Yi
Chen, Muhao
Balkcom, Devin
contents Soft robots offer adaptability and safe interaction with complex environments. Rapid prototyping kits that allow soft robots to be assembled easily will allow different geometries to be explored quickly to suit different environments or to mimic the motion of biological organisms. We introduce SoftSnap modules: snap-together components that enable the rapid assembly of a class of untethered soft robots. Each SoftSnap module includes embedded computation, motor-driven string actuation, and a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) printed structure capable of deforming into various shapes based on the string configuration. These modules can be easily connected with other SoftSnap modules or customizable connectors. We demonstrate the versatility of the SoftSnap system through four configurations: a starfish-like robot, a brittle star robot, a snake robot, a 3D gripper, and a ring-shaped robot. These configurations highlight the ease of assembly, adaptability, and functional diversity of the SoftSnap modules. The SoftSnap modular system offers a scalable, snap-together approach to simplifying soft robot prototyping, making it easier for researchers to explore untethered soft robotic systems rapidly.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_19169
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle SoftSnap: Rapid Prototyping of Untethered Soft Robots Using Snap-Together Modules
Zhao, Luyang
Jiang, Yitao
She, Chun-Yi
Chen, Muhao
Balkcom, Devin
Robotics
Soft robots offer adaptability and safe interaction with complex environments. Rapid prototyping kits that allow soft robots to be assembled easily will allow different geometries to be explored quickly to suit different environments or to mimic the motion of biological organisms. We introduce SoftSnap modules: snap-together components that enable the rapid assembly of a class of untethered soft robots. Each SoftSnap module includes embedded computation, motor-driven string actuation, and a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) printed structure capable of deforming into various shapes based on the string configuration. These modules can be easily connected with other SoftSnap modules or customizable connectors. We demonstrate the versatility of the SoftSnap system through four configurations: a starfish-like robot, a brittle star robot, a snake robot, a 3D gripper, and a ring-shaped robot. These configurations highlight the ease of assembly, adaptability, and functional diversity of the SoftSnap modules. The SoftSnap modular system offers a scalable, snap-together approach to simplifying soft robot prototyping, making it easier for researchers to explore untethered soft robotic systems rapidly.
title SoftSnap: Rapid Prototyping of Untethered Soft Robots Using Snap-Together Modules
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.19169