[SOFT ARM] - Title

FROM OCTOPUS TO SOFT ARM

SOFT ARM - A soft compliant arm for challenging and delicate applications


[SOFT ARM] - About

WHAT IS OUR SOFT ARM?

Soft Arm is a soft continuous robot that can work in unstructured environments.

The Soft Arm can mimic the high maneuverability of a real octopus arm, including the amazing compliance shown in manipulating unknown objects. The robot consists of a soft body endowed with suction cups. The suction cups are inspired by octopus suckers and ensure effective grasping and high attachment forces.

Soft Arm has been tested to work in challenging confined spaces to retrieve a wide range of different objects.


[SOFT ARM] - Components' Title


SOFT ARM - The key components


[SOFT ARM] - Components

ARM

Like an octopus arm, has a conical shape, and is entirely soft. It embeds a cable-driven actuation and a microfluidic network.

SUCTION CUP

Like octopus suckers, consists of two portions, the acetabulum and infundibulum. The suction cup shows a high compliance with different surfaces (included rough ones) and can work in wet conditions.

[SOFT ARM] - Biological highlights


OUR CONTRIBUTION TO BIOLOGICAL ISSUES


The extensive investigation of our biological models has enabled us to discover new biological knowledge.

MORPHOLOGY

The particular structure  of suckers that enable them to efficiently attach themselves to all non-porous surfaces.

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ATTACHMENT

A new proposal of attachment mechanism at the light of new morphological discoveries.

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OCTOPUS HAIRS

Hairy structures - An anatomical discovery with a crucial role in the attachment mechanism.

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BIOMECHANICS

A complete biomechanical characterization of sucker tissues of the octopus.

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[SOFT ARM] - Gallery

Gallery

[SOFT ARM] - Applications

[SOFT ARM] - Video list

Videos