Integrated stretchable pneumatic strain gauges for electronics-free soft robots

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    23 Citations (Scopus)
    11 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    In soft robotics, actuators, logic and power systems can be entirely fluidic and electronics-free. However, sensors still typically rely on electric or optical principles. This adds complexity to fluidic soft robots because transducers are needed, and electrical materials have to be incorporated. Herein, we show a highly-stretchable pneumatic strain gauge based on a meandering microchannel in a soft elastomer material thus eliminating the need for an electrical signal in soft robots. Using such pneumatic sensors, we demonstrate an all-pneumatic gripper with integrated pneumatic strain gauges that is capable of autonomous closure and object recognition. The gauges can measure at least up to 300% engineering strains. The sensor exhibits a very stable signal over a 12-hour measurement period with no hysteresis. Using pneumatic sensors, all four major components of robots—actuators, logic, power, and sensors—can be pneumatic, enabling all-fluidic soft robots with proprioception and exteroception.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number14
    Number of pages10
    JournalCommunications Engineering
    Volume1
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2022
    Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Publication forum classification

    • Publication forum level 0

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Integrated stretchable pneumatic strain gauges for electronics-free soft robots'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this