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SHORT NEWS

Researchers develop trunk robot

#material science #research #robotics #start-up #technology

Inspired by elephant trunks, researchers at EPFL have developed a new robot. Because the trunk robot is made of soft, pliable material, it is safe for interaction with humans.

A soft robot inspired by elephant trunks

This opens up possible applications in areas such as healthcare or care for the elderly, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) announced.

The development is crucial for robotics, EPFL said, because it marks the transition from rigid to soft robots. "Our goal is to bring robots closer to humans," said EPFL's Josie Hughes, under whose direction the new robot was created.

"We hope that this soft robotic arm embodies a future where machines support, complement and understand the needs of humans better than ever before," the researcher continued.

Patent pending

The new robot was presented to the professional community in the new journal "npj Robotics". According to the researchers, the core of the development lies in the novel architecture of the robot arm. The researchers have modified a spiral-like structure called a helicoid by cutting off parts of it. This allows them to control exactly how flexible or stiff the spiral becomes in different directions.

To bring this first commercial soft manipulator to market, the researchers have filed a patent and founded a joint start-up called Helix Robotics.

Written by: sda

Photos: EPFL

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a baby in a newborn ward

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An artificial intelligence (AI) developed by Zurich researchers recognises a specific heart defect in newborns. According to the researchers, it has the potential to reduce the number of missed diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension.
April 29th, 2024
the new robot can mimic the softness of materials

Robot reproduces the softness of materials

A new robot can precisely mimic the softness of various materials. In future, medical students could use it to practise detecting malignant tumours or researchers could feel the softness of an object in space.
May 6th, 2024
PEBE

Are CO2 absorbers the saviors of the climate crisis?

In the fight against climate change, gigatons of carbon dioxide will have to be removed from the atmosphere over the course of the century - using so-called carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies are giving people new hope.
June 12th, 2024
pedestrians at a zebra crossing

New car camera detects pedestrians 100 times faster

A new type of car camera recognises obstacles 100 times faster than previous driver assistance systems. In future, this technology should help to brake cars in good time if a pedestrian suddenly runs into the road.
August 5th, 2024
Pedestrians walk on planks across a flooded square in Switzerland.

Climate change causes global economy to shrink significantly

According to a new forecast, the global economy is at risk of shrinking by around a fifth by the middle of the century due to climate change.
August 19th, 2024