Summary Analysis Draft 2

-

 In the article, “Soft robotic arm...” (2020), Matheson described Ryan Truby, a postdoc in the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Laboratory. Truby, along with other MIT researchers have empowered a malleable robotic arm to operate by utilizing motion and data in 3D environment with its own sensorized skin. 

Matheson mentioned about Truby's opinions, whereby soft robots are more advantageous compared to traditional rigid design due to its infinite number of movements at any time, and also uses its own flexible sensors to receive feedbacks for control instead of vision system to provide feedbacks. Along with the limitation in the control applications and train planning process due to its infinite number of movements in soft robot. In the article, Matheson also depicted Truby's statement with regards to the researchers' future aim, using the soft robotic arm "to orient and control themselves automatically, to pick things up and interact with the world"(Ryan Truby,n.d,Paragraph 6) as well as, to progress onto artificial limbs that can dexterously control in the environment.

Even though the soft sensor is unable to capture precise movements, it still provides a stepping stone for machine learning in soft robotics control, enabling the experts to explore new models with improved sensitivity and control applications.

In the article, "Toward Perceptive...", (2018) the article mentioned several computational approaches have been successfully implemented into the traditional robotics design such as the microelectromechanical system-based sensors. But, it is a challenge in soft robotics design due to the infinite movements and the flexibility of the soft robotic arm that will result in changes of the characteristics of a soft sensor attached on it. Thus, affecting the sensitivity of the sensor when there is change in strain and pressure. 

It is impracticable to implement thousands of sensors in a soft robotic system due to the problems in various components such as wiring, electronics, sensor size and space. The total number of sensors can be reduced by implementing the sensors at the best location for detecting multiple deformation. More over, other key elements have to be taken into considerations as well, such as the contact behavior in between a sensorized soft robotic and an object are difficult to anticipate as friction is involved. Modeling of the sensor would be much more sophisticated, involving advanced method with high cost and the outcome might not corresponds with physical systems. 

The article further stated, "finite element methods (FEMs)" have been developed to simulate soft robot movements and to introduce "real-time control algorithms". Integrating the soft sensors is very beneficial, enabling more complicated task and more precise control of the soft robot. The sensory responses has to be evaluated for a range of robotic tasks in function of the actuation mechanism, as well as depending on the scenario in which the robot is moving. 

As mentioned in the article, soft robotic sensing is still its beginning phase and there are many challenges to overcome towards autonomous soft robots. The definition of these criteria could portray the means through several scientific communities involved, (material science/engineering/biology) can communicate and collaborate, inspiring new ideas for innovative solutions towards perceptive soft robots.

References:

Matheson, R (2020, 16 Feb). SOFT ROBOTIC ARM USES FLEXIBLE SENSORS TO UNDERSTAND ITS POSITION. Control Engineering https://www.controleng.com/articles/soft-robotic-arm-uses-flexible-sensors-to-understand-its-position/

Wang, H., Totaro, M., & Beccai, L. (2018, 13 Jul). Toward Perceptive Soft Robots: Progress and Challenges. Advanced Science, 5(9), 1800541–n/a. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.201800541

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Submission 1: Descriptive Reflection

-
Dear Professor Blackstone I am Wei Yan, a student from MEC1281 effective communication class, T6. I am writing this letter to everyone in hopes that you will get to know me better.  I graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic with a diploma in Aeronautical & Aerospace Technology with a specialization in aircraft system testing. During my period of studies, I was exposed to various types of aircraft components and developed an interest in the mechanism of a component, which was the flight control system in a propeller aircraft. The basic mechanism of the control stick in a plane's cockpit that is operated by "fly-by-wire" method that allows aircraft to maneuver in 3 ways in the air, which are, pitch, roll and yaw. Therefore, this had eventually led me to pursue a degree in  Mechanical Engineering  at the Singapore Institute of Technology. "Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all opportunity for me to rise" - Kobe Bryant From the quote, there will always
Read more

Summary Analysis Draft 4

-
Soft Robotic Arm uses flexible sensors to understand its position  MEC 1281 Summary Analysis Draft #4 By Sim Wei Yan 4th Feb 2021 In the article, “Soft robotic arm...” (2020), Matheson described Ryan Truby, a postdoc in the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Laboratory, empowering a malleable robotic arm to operate by utilizing motion and data in 3D environment with its own sensorized skin. Matheson mentioned Truby's opinion that soft robot are more advantageous compared to traditional rigid design. This is due to their infinite number of movements at any time and how the soft robot uses their own flexible sensors for control instead of vision system to provide feedback. However, this creates limitation in the control application and planning process due to the infinite numbers of movement. Using of the soft robotic arm to orient and control themselves automatically, to pick things up and interact with the world (Truby, 2020, para 6.) as well as, to progress onto artificial limbs
Read more

Task 3D: The Importance of communication skills for engineers

-
 “Communication skills are an essential component in the education of  engineering students to facilitate not just students’ education but also to prepare  them for their future careers.” - Marc Riemer, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (2007) This quote suggest on communications skills, which is, equally as important as compared to other curriculum in the students' education. Communication skills are also essential to presenting ideas and opinions to future clients.  What are your thoughts on this quote? Feel free to comment below to share your thoughts.
Read more