To overcome rigidity and movement limitations in current robotic systems, a U.S. Army Research Laboratory recently teamed with researchers from the University of Minnesota. The structural stiffness of robots the Army currently uses can make them difficult to use in highly congested, primarily urban environments. So, the team looked to draw inspiration from invertebrates like worms.
The Army’s robots' most significant obstacles appear to be their lack of dynamic flexibility and electrical circuitries which allow for complex motion and movement. To overcome these limitations, the team created soft actuator prototypes made from more flexible materials. This flexibility was made possible through the use of a 3D-printed dielectric elastomer actuator, or DEA. This technology provided the prototype with the ability to bend.
The 3D-printed DEAs exhibited a significantly greater range of motion than current models. They could also play a key role in helping to validate the presence of 3D printing on the battlefield. The ability to print functional materials and devices, like soft actuators or robotic components as needed, could provide a tremendous assist. The fact that these DEAs do not require post-processing steps, such as drying or annealing, also helps save time.