Geometry-based pneumatic actuators for soft robotics

Fuente: arXiv
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Auteurs principaux: Chen, Rui, Leonardis, Daniele, Chiaradia, Domenico, Frisoli, Antonio
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2026
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author Chen, Rui
Leonardis, Daniele
Chiaradia, Domenico
Frisoli, Antonio
author_facet Chen, Rui
Leonardis, Daniele
Chiaradia, Domenico
Frisoli, Antonio
contents Soft pneumatic actuators enable safe human-machine interaction with lightweight and powerful applied parts. On the other side, they suffer design limitations as regards complex actuation patterns, including minimum bending radii, multi-states capabilities and structural stability. We present geometry-based pneumatic actuators (GPAs), a design and implementation approach that introduces constraint layers with configurable CNC heat-sealed chambers. The approach achieves predictable deformation, near-zero bending radii, multi-states actuation, and enables customizable and repeatable complex actuated geometries. Mathematical modeling reveals predictable linear angle transformations and validates nonlinear torque-angle relationships across diverse configurations. We demonstrate versatility of the GPAs approach through three applications: a 49 g wrist exoskeleton reducing muscle activity by up to 51%, a 30.8 g haptic interface delivering 8 N force feedback with fast response, and a 208 g bipedal robot achieving multi-gait locomotion. GPAs establish a configurable platform for next-generation wearable robotics, haptic systems, and soft locomotion devices.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_24104
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Geometry-based pneumatic actuators for soft robotics
Chen, Rui
Leonardis, Daniele
Chiaradia, Domenico
Frisoli, Antonio
Robotics
Soft pneumatic actuators enable safe human-machine interaction with lightweight and powerful applied parts. On the other side, they suffer design limitations as regards complex actuation patterns, including minimum bending radii, multi-states capabilities and structural stability. We present geometry-based pneumatic actuators (GPAs), a design and implementation approach that introduces constraint layers with configurable CNC heat-sealed chambers. The approach achieves predictable deformation, near-zero bending radii, multi-states actuation, and enables customizable and repeatable complex actuated geometries. Mathematical modeling reveals predictable linear angle transformations and validates nonlinear torque-angle relationships across diverse configurations. We demonstrate versatility of the GPAs approach through three applications: a 49 g wrist exoskeleton reducing muscle activity by up to 51%, a 30.8 g haptic interface delivering 8 N force feedback with fast response, and a 208 g bipedal robot achieving multi-gait locomotion. GPAs establish a configurable platform for next-generation wearable robotics, haptic systems, and soft locomotion devices.
title Geometry-based pneumatic actuators for soft robotics
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.24104