2024-01-27 23:10:00
In a merger of the fields of biology and mechanics, Japanese researchers have designed a two-legged biohybrid robot that mimics human gait. This creation, which combines muscle tissue and artificial materials, opens the prospect of a new generation of robots capable of fine and delicate movements.
Compared to robots, human bodies are flexible, capable of fine movements, and can convert energy efficiently into movement. Inspired by human gait, researchers in Japan have designed a two-legged biohybrid robot by combining muscle tissue and artificial materials. Published in the journal Matter, this method allows the robot to walk and rotate.
« Research on biohybrid robots, which are a fusion of biology and mechanics, is recently attracting attention as a new field of robotics exhibiting biological function “, says author Shoji Takeuchi ofUniversity of Tokyo, in Japan. “ Using muscles as actuators allows us to build a compact robot and achieve efficient, quiet movements with a gentle touch. »
An innovative bipedal robot
The research team designed a two-legged robot, an innovative bipedal design, that builds on the legacy of biohybrid robots that take advantage of muscles.
Muscle tissue allowed biohybrid robots to crawl and swim in straight lines and make turns, but not sharp turns. Yet being able to pivot and make sharp turns is an essential feature for robots to avoid obstacles.
Concept of a bipedal robot powered by cultured skeletal muscle tissue
(G) Illustration of a bipedal robot powered by cultured skeletal muscle tissue.
(D) Image of the biohybrid bipedal robot with cultured skeletal muscle tissues.
To build a more agile robot with fine, delicate movements, researchers designed a biohybrid robot that mimics human gait and operates in water. The robot has a floating foam top and weighted legs to help it stand upright underwater.
The robot’s skeleton is primarily made of silicone rubber that can bend and flex to accommodate muscle movements. The researchers then attached strips of laboratory-grown skeletal muscle tissue to the silicone rubber and to each leg.
Fine and delicate movements
When the researchers stimulated the muscle tissue with electricity, the muscle contracted, lifting the leg. The heel of the leg then landed forward as the electricity dissipated.
By alternating electrical stimulation between the left leg and the right leg every 5 seconds, the biohybrid robot managed to “to walk» at a speed of 5.4 mm/min (0.002 mph). To turn, the researchers repeatedly stimulated the right leg every 5 seconds while the left leg served as an anchor.
The robot made a 90-degree left turn in 62 seconds. The results showed that the muscular biped robot can walk, stop and perform precise turning movements.
(A) Forward movement by bipedal walking. (B) Distance traveled by the left leg during forward movement. Blue arrows indicate the time of electrical stimulation of the left leg and red arrows indicate the time of electrical stimulation of the right leg.
(C) Rotational movement of the biped robot. (D) Trajectory of the rotational movement of the biped robot.
(E) Relationship between rotation angle and time during rotational motion. (F) Stopping movement of the bipedal robot when electrical stimulations were not applied. Scale bars: 1 cm (A), 2 cm (C), 2 cm (D) and 1 cm (F).
Prospects for improvement
« Currently, we manually move a pair of electrodes to apply an electric field individually to the legs, which takes time “, explains Shoji Takeuchi. “ In the future, by integrating the electrodes into the robot, we hope to increase the speed more effectively. »
The team also plans to give the biped robot thicker joints and muscle tissue to enable more sophisticated and powerful movements. But before enhancing the robot with more biological components, Shoji Takeuchi says the team will need to integrate a nutrient supply system to support living tissue and device structures that allow the robot to operate in air.
« A cheer broke out during our regular lab meeting when we saw the robot successfully walk on video “, remembers Shoji Takeuchi. “ Although they may seem like small steps, they are actually giant leaps for biohybrid robots. »
Illustration caption / Two-legged biohybrid robot – Credit: Shoji Takeuchi research group, University of Tokyo
Article : “Biohybrid bipedal robot powered by skeletal muscle tissue” – DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2023.12.035
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