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Transformable device that can switch between rigid body and soft body
Author(s) -
Nishikawa Yuto,
Matsumoto Mitsuharu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
ieej transactions on electrical and electronic engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.254
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1931-4981
pISSN - 1931-4973
DOI - 10.1002/tee.22356
Subject(s) - flexibility (engineering) , robot , rigid body , computer science , stiffness , simulation , mechanical engineering , human–computer interaction , artificial intelligence , engineering , structural engineering , physics , mathematics , classical mechanics , statistics
The materials for transformable robots can roughly be categorized into two types, that is, rigid body and soft body. They have different features, and have merits and demerits, respectively. Robots with rigid body have high stiffness, and are suitable for carrying and holding objects. However, they may injure users if they make contact. Robots with soft body have high flexibility and can make contact safely. However, they have difficulty in retaining particular shapes and are fragile against external force. In this letter, we propose some devices that can switch between rigid body and soft body using phase change of low melting alloy to resolve the problems. We also provide some experimental results with the device to clarify the applicability of the developed devices. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.