Pneumatic Networks for Soft Robotics

- Pneumatic Networks for Soft Robotics

Soft robots actuated by inflation of a pneumatic network (a “pneu-net”) of small channels in elastomeric materials are appealing for producing sophisticated motions with simple controls. Although current designs of pneu-nets achieve motion with large amplitudes, they do so relatively slowly (over seconds). This work presents a new design for pneu-nets that reduces the amount of gas needed for inflation of the pneu-net, and thus increases its speed of actuation (B. Mosadegh, P. Polygerinos, et al.2013).