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Robotics

Soft robotic gripper uses nothing but air to grasp and release objects

By Ben Coxworth
July 27, 2023
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The gripper goes to work on a tennis ball
UC San Diego
The gripper goes to work on a tennis ball
UC San Diego
A close look at one of the valves along with one of the fingers
UC San Diego

As is the case with any other electrical device, the less energy that a robot uses to perform its assigned duties, the better. A new soft robotic gripper was created with this fact in mind, as it grasps and releases objects without using any electricity at all.

Developed by a team of researchers at the University of California-San Diego, the experimental pneumatic device is 3D printed all in one step, so no assembly or other post-print processing is required. It's designed to be mounted on the end of a traditional robotic arm.

In order to minimize the chances of leaks that would allow air to escape from it, each layer of the gripper is printed in one continuous line of molten polymer. Because that material is in a molten state as it's deposited, each layer bonds to the one below as it cools.

Although the gripper doesn't require any electricity to operate, it does have to be hooked up to a source of compressed air. That air flows through a rubber hose and into the gripper.

When the middle of the device's "hand" is pressed down against an object, the pressure causes an internal valve to open. This allows the air to flow through into the two bellowed fingers, causing them to expand and close around the object – they stay closed as long as the gripper is in a vertical orientation.

Once it's turned sideways (horizontal), however, the weight of the object causes another valve to open. The air then flows back out of the fingers, causing them to open and release the object.

A close look at one of the valves along with one of the fingers
UC San Diego

"We designed functions so that a series of valves would allow the gripper to both grip on contact and release at the right time," said postdoctoral researcher Yichen Zhai, lead author of a paper on the project. "It’s the first time such a gripper can both grip and release."

It is hoped that the gripper could one day be used in the handling of delicate items such as fruits and vegetables.

The paper was recently published in the journal Science Robotics. You can see the gripper in action, in the following video.

Source: UC San Diego

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RoboticsUC San DiegoSoft RoboticsCompressed Air
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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
3 comments
Mike
I'm a little puzzled by articles like this. People are always designing new grippers. And that's fine, sure, robots need grippers. But soft grippers aren't new, pneumatic grippers aren't new. This particular gripper is a little innovative I guess, but why say that it, "uses no electricity?" Anybody who cares about robotic grippers knows what a pneumatic gripper is, so obviously it will have to be hooked up to compressed air which will require some type of power source. What is the point of advertising it as not using electricity? And the line about the polymer being molten while it's printed so that it's all airtight - well, sure, that's how 3d printing works. Are they doing something special with their printing to ensure an especially efficient use of the compressed air? The main benefit of this design seems to be that it's the first such gripper which can both grip and release, which was stated once at the very end of the article. Which, again, is all fine. It just... seems like a very niche project that is being sold in a very strange way. I feel like if an engineer doesn't know what else to do, they make a new gripper and come up with a reason to market it as unique or innovative.
Kpar
Compressed air is NOT an efficient means of energy transport, too many losses in the transport (pipes, ducting) and the power to compress the air comes from electricity. Also, once compressed, the air cools), reducing the pressure and, ultimately, the available energy (Boyle's Law). If this weren't the case, compressed air would be used for air conditioning.
Grunchy
“The less energy that a robot uses to perform its assigned duties, the better.”
Fluid power is one of your more wasteful forms of power. Pneumatic is the most wasteful of all…
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