Robotics

Artificial muscles could allow robots to lift 80 times their own weight

Robots with artificial muscles would have superhuman strength (Image: Shutterstock)
Robots with artificial muscles would have superhuman strength (Image: Shutterstock)

It's a classic science fiction scene: an android is injured and its human-like exterior is laid bare to reveal the metallic gears and cables of its true mechanical nature. The future is, unsurprisingly, not likely to match this scenario as our ability to mimic biology with innovations like artificial muscles improves. The latest breakthrough in this field comes from the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Engineering where researchers have developed a “robotic” muscle that extends like real muscle tissue to five times its original length, has the potential to lift 80 times its own weight and holds out the promise of smaller, stronger robots capable of more refined movements.

In the 1960s, John W. Campbell Jr, editor of Analog Science Fiction magazine, pointed out a problem with robots that still plagues engineers today. He outlined a scenario where a man is chased across rough country by a mad scientist’s horde of killer robots. The various models were stymied by obstacles that the man could overcome, such as sinking in mud or getting tangled in bushes, and that the only robots capable of keeping up with the man were so light and underpowered that he ended up tearing them apart with his bare hands.

The point is this: robots are weaklings. We tend to think of robots as mechanical Samsons that can bend steel in their claws, and many can. However, the powerhouse robots are also extremely heavy and use hydraulics for the heavy lifting. Pound for pound they’re actually very weak compared to a human, being capable of lifting only half their weight.

In addition, robots using gears and motors, pneumatics, or hydraulics lack fine control. They tend to move in jerks and have to pause between each move. This makes robots move in a, well, “robotic” fashion and this is why animatronic robots often look like they have a tic. It’s very difficult to make a robot capable of delicate, smooth movements.

One solution to this problem is biomimetics. In other words, by borrowing from the design work that nature has already done. Artificial muscles, which have been around for some years, are an example of this. Instead of electric motors or pumps to turn cams or push fluids, the artificial muscle is a material or device that expands and contracts the way real muscles do. The difference is that where muscles burn sugars, artificial muscles use electric fields, pneumatic bladders, ions, or heat.

The tricky bit with artificial muscles is that how strong they are depends on how far they can extend. The further the extension, the greater the strength. Currently, artificial muscles only extend about three times their original length. This limits not only strength, but the level of control, so movements powered by artificial muscles leave a lot to be desired.

Billed as a first in robotics, the NUS artificial muscle was developed by a four-person team Led by Dr Adrian Koh of the NUS Engineering Science Program and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Its an example of an electroactive polymer. In this case, a dielectric elastomer based on rubber that changes shape when subjected to an electric field. Theoretically, such a polymer could extend to ten times its length and lift 500 times its own weight, though the current version isn’t anywhere near that limit.

"Our materials mimic those of the human muscle, responding quickly to electrical impulses instead of slowly for mechanisms driven by hydraulics," says Dr Koh. "Robots move in a jerky manner because of this mechanism. Now, imagine artificial muscles which are pliable, extendable and react in a fraction of a second like those of a human. Robots equipped with such muscles will be able to function in a more human-like manner – and outperform humans in strength."

Robots using artificial muscles would be a far cry from clanking mechanical men. They would be much more lifelike, capable of facial expression and precise, graceful movements. They would also have superhuman strength, yet weigh the same as a person.

In addition, the polymer may have more general applications in machines, such as cranes. An added bonus of the polymer is that is can convert and store energy, which means it’s possible to design robots that power themselves after charging for only minutes.

"Our novel muscles are not just strong and responsive," Dr Koh says. "Their movements produce a by-product – energy. As the muscles contract and expand, they are capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Due to the nature of this material, it is capable of packing a large amount of energy in a small package. We calculated that if one were to build an electrical generator from these soft materials, a 10 kg (22 lb) system is capable of producing the same amount of energy of a one-ton electrical turbine."

Dr Koh and his team have applied for a patent for the artificial muscle and are continuing work on it. They predict that within five years they could have a robot arm that is half the size and weight of a human arm, yet could win an arm wrestling match.

The results of the team’s research was presented in June at the 3rd International Conference on Electromechanically-Active Polymer Transducers and Artificial Muscles in Zurich, Switzerland.

Source: National University of Singapore

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5 comments
VirtualGathis
If they can operate at smaller sizes these would not only make smoother robotics, but would benefit prosthetics as well. With nerve control and feedback coming to fruition adding these muscles would bring us a step closer to the sci-fi vision of cybernetic prosthesis.
Joseph Mertens
So every movement expends energy and the opposite side that will reverse the movement gains energy so the only system loss is the efficiency of conversion and resistance to the movement by weight, pressures & friction. nice Here comes Military exoskeletons the Cheetah manhunter drones way before prosthetic limb replacement.
Justas Domulis
Prosthetic technology will have its Renaissance with such muscles as these. Not only it would respond quicker and more accurate, but the though of superhuman strength makes such tech better than our biological counterparts. As I like to say, nature has already given us awesome examples for engineering, all we have to do is to make them better.
Jessica Johnson
These robotic muscles may only be five years off I guess, however I think the robots at the level of discussion here may take a lot longer. In any case, it’s great to see progress. 80 times their own weight is a lot to take in and now the calculation of the moment of inertia would be an additional challenge. I also would like to know the type of robotic motion they are using. But again, this is already a terrific breakthrough.
Grunchy
A self-parking car is basically a robot. All robots are dangerous and capable of causing injury. Even my plotter has safety guards all over it so I will keep my fingers out of the flying carriage mechanism. And we know what happened to Jimi Heselden when he trusted his Segway a bit too much. I don't think that giving robots better muscles will make them any more prevalent. They may become more capable, but also more requiring of safety guards and precautions. I'm curious about the power density claim: 10kg of robotic muscle can replace 1 ton of electric turbine? Guys do a similar thing all the time by extracting enormous power out of small car engines, with the consequence that their reliability is drastically reduced!