Robotic Tentacles with Three-Dimensional Mobility Based on Flexible Elastomers

1. Ramses V. Martinez¹,
2. Jamie L. Branch¹,
3. Carina R. Fish¹,
4. Lihua Jin⁴,
5. Robert F. Shepherd¹,
6. Rui M. D. Nunes¹,
7. Zhigang Suo^2,4,
8. George M. Whitesides^1,2,3,*

Article first published online: 7 SEP 2012

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201203002

 

 

Soft robotic tentacles that move in three dimensions upon pressurization are fabricated by composing flexible elastomers with different tensile strengths using soft lithographic molding. These actuators are able to grip complex shapes and manipulate delicate objects. Embedding functional components into these actuators (for example, a needle for delivering fluid, a video camera, and a suction cup) extends their capabilities.