Robotic folding sheet adapts to terrain and grasps items using built-in sensors

A flexible robotic sheet that can grasp objects and move across surfaces has been created by a team of researchers led by Jung Kim from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

This advancement, published in Nature Communications, could improve autonomous systems in fields such as exploration, haptic displays (technologies which enable a user to “feel” a virtual stimuli), and smart health care.

Designing robots that can change shape can enable a range of applications, such as exploring environments or manipulating objects. Folding for shape transformation, akin to origami, is an established approach. However, conventional methods with fixed hinge structures restrict the range of configurations and adaptability.

The team engineered a robotic folding sheet made with densely distributed heat-sensitive electrical elements that can change shape when exposed to heat.

The authors demonstrated their approach with a 40 cm² sheet composed of 308 resistors that function both as heaters and sensors. This dual functionality allows for precise control of movement, where the system continuously adjusts based on feedback from its own sensors.

The dexterity of the robotic sheet was demonstrated through crawling across a surface as well as the grasping and lifting of various objects, such as a petri dish, plastic packaging, and a wooden stick.

Kim and co-authors show that the system can achieve folding angles between -87° to 109° and consistent performance across a range of temperatures (30°C and 170°C). The system can also respond quickly and accurately to changes in the environment that warrant increased stability and efficiency.

The authors suggest that this programmable folding sheet can improve the versatility and adaptability of autonomous systems, allowing them to more effectively function on unpredictable terrain. However, further advances in material technology and structural design are needed to fully harness the potential of this technology.