Robotic Arm Inspired by the Elephant Trunk

Innovation: Industry

Festo

2012

Image: Richard Jacobs / Unsplash / CC BY SA - Creative Commons Attribution + ShareAlike

Modify Pressure

For many living systems, modifying pressure provides extra strength. For others, it provides ways to move air. To use pressure effectively requires a reliable source of pressure, as well as mechanisms to create and release the pressure as needed. Often, modifications in pressure within a living system are created by water, although air can also be a source. An example of a water-facilitated pressure system is wilted leaves that use hydrostatic pressure to stiffen. They do so by bringing solutes (such as salts) into their cells, which causes them to draw in water.

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Modify Size/Shape/Mass/Volume

Many living systems alter their physical properties, such as size, shape, mass, or volume. These modifications occur in response to the living system’s needs and/or changing environmental conditions. For example, they may do this to move more efficiently, escape predators, recover from damage, or for many other reasons. These modifications require appropriate response rates and levels. Modifying any of these properties requires materials to enable such changes, cues to make the changes, and mechanisms to control them. An example is the porcupine fish, which protects itself from predators by taking sips of water or air to inflate its body and to erect spines embedded in its skin.

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Distribute Solids

Solids include resources such as food, seeds, spores, and leaves, which living systems must sometimes move to accomplish various activities such as pollinating, feeding their young, or building shelters. To effectively distribute solids, living systems must use strategies appropriate to the sizes and types of solids and the media in which they exist (air, water, or another medium). This may entail strategies beyond simply holding and carrying solids. For example, some seeds are carried by the wind to new locations for germination. Others–like the burdock plant’s hooked seeds–cling to animal fur to be transported.

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Move in/Through Gases

Living systems must move through gases (which are less dense than liquids and solids) such as those in the earth’s atmosphere. The greatest challenge of moving in gases is that because the living system is heavier than the gas, it must overcome the force of gravity. Moving efficiently in this light medium presents unique challenges and opportunities for living systems. As a result, they have evolved countless solutions to optimize drag and increase lift so that they can stay aloft and take advantage of variable currents. Additionally, they must overcome gravity when moving from a liquid or solid into the air. The fairyfly, the smallest known insect, is a tiny wasp that must move through the air. To the wasp, air feels like a heavy liquid and to move through it, it uses special feathery oars rather than wings.

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Brochures

Festo_Bionic Handling Assistant
889.3 KB PDF

A Gentler Robot

Explore resources for teaching engineering concepts and practices using the story of a flexible robotic arm inspired by the muscles in elephants’ trunks.

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The Bionic Handling Assistant from Festo is a robotic arm that can easily move and grip objects without endangering humans.

Benefits

Safe
Lightweight
Flexible

Applications

Factories

UN Sustainable Development Goals Addressed

Goal 9: Industry Innovation & Infrastructure

The Challenge

Working in factories often requires being near machines, which can be dangerous for employees. Oftentimes the robots have to be shielded to prevent damage, which can limit mobility and productivity. In addition, many machines are heavy and rigid, further limiting the range and type of activities they can perform.

Innovation Details

The Bionic Handling Assistant is a robotic arm that was inspired by the wide range of motion and gripping ability of the elephant’s trunk. The Handling Assistant is comprised of three interconnected segments that are used to move, and the ‘gripper’ at the end is used to grip and pick up objects. The robotic arm moves because chambers inside the arm fill with compressed air, allowing for a wide range of movement while still being lightweight (the whole arm only weights 5 lbs). The chambers work with sensors within the arm to precisely control movements. The gripper is comprised of three ‘claws’ that can mold to the shape of an object, making it easier to pick up and hold objects.

Video

Biological Model

The trunk of an elephant is highly dynamic, able to not only move in a variety of directions but also able to do so with immense strength and precision. It does this without the skeletal support or fluid displacement throughout the muscle. Instead, the trunk is made up of an incompressible “fluid” (i.e., about 40,000 tightly packed muscle fibers) that maintains its volume to remain constant through a variety of movements.

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close up black and white photograph of an elephant trunk

Biological Strategy

How Elephant Trunks Twist and Twirl

Elephants

Three muscle fiber patterns inside trunks work together to provide the strength, support, and resistance needed to bend and twist with extreme agility.

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