Robotic Petri
Dish Gripper
Tactus AI
Embedded Files
University of California, San Diego
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
MAE 156B: Fundamental Principles of Mechanical Design II
Team 21:
Matthew Fagen, Trew Hoffman, Cecilia Lee, Harsh Savla
Final Presentation
Sponor Presentation.pptxPoster
Background
Background
Petri dishes are a common lab instrument used for diagnosing bacterial infections, the second leading cause of death worldwide. Petri dish analysis is time-intensive, repetitive, laborious, and requires highly trained technicians, who take time to hire. Consequently, dish samples accumulate, and critical diagnoses are delayed.
Tactus AI is a San Diego-based startup automating microbiology laboratory processes, such as petri dish analysis, with their robot: the Lab Assistant. The Assistant can move itself around a lab space and execute various low-level and repetitive tasks in the same space as technicians. Team 21's goal was to develop a system that could integrate into their Assistant and expedite dish processing and diagnosis delivery.
Lab Assistant by Tactus AI
Problem Solution
Problem Solution
The gripper attachment uses soft contact surfaces giving it functionality for multiple tasks with only one actuator.
By taking advantage of elastomer compliance and petri dish geometry, the gripper can choose to grab only the lid or base of the petri dish, or both at once, to perform a variety of handling tasks.
Rendering of gripper converting rotational motion to translational movement
The gripper attaches to Tactus AI's semi-humanoid Lab Assistant robot, allowing for the automation of petri dish handling tasks, integrating directly into existing workflows of microbiology laboratories.
The automation of petri dish handling and imaging frees technicians from tedious work, all while helping to standardize the process. By accelerating bacterial sample processing in laboratories, diagnoses can be delivered faster and patients get the care they need sooner.
Design Showcase: Narrated Action Sequence Video
Gripper Performance
Gripper Performance
Testing of the gripper and its respective components was carried out throughout the whole development process. In its final state, the gripper successfully completed 30 repetitions of the action sequence displayed above. The team's gripper is now ready to be integrated into and adjusted for Tactus AI's Lab Assistant however they see fit.
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