Inflated Soft Actuators with Reversible Stable Deformations.

Hines, Lindsey; Petersen, Kirstin; Sitti, Metin · Adv Mater · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Most soft robotic systems are currently dependent on bulky compressors or pumps. A soft actuation method is presented combining hyperelastic membranes and dielectric elastomer actuators to switch between stable deformations of sealed chambers. This method is capable of large repeatable deformations, and has a number of stable states proportional to the number of actuatable membranes in the chamber.