RESEARCH by the University of Edinburgh has suggested mimicking the “hairy grippers” of ants’ mouthparts.
A prototype “hairy gripper” has already been developed and tested by researchers at the University of Edinburgh showing “excellent results”.
The research suggests that copying the hairy grips of ants’ mouthparts could improve robots’ ability to pick up and move objects.
Traditionally, robot grippers have been made to mimic human hands, but the new research has suggested that a gripper mimicking ants’ pincers yields better results.
The new two-jawed parallel plate gripper is fitted with four rows of hairs made of thermoplastic polyurethane in a V-shape so it can grip circular objects better.
During tests the addition of the hairs increased the prototype gripper’s grasp success rate from 64% to 90%.
The research was funded by the UK Research and Innovation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The new design could aid robots in their future work with various fields of application suggested.
Robots could use their “hairy grippers” to assist in environmental clean ups, agriculture and domestic situations.
Just two weeks ago Edinburgh University unveiled a superior AI-integrated coffee making robot.
Professor Charlotte Deane, executive chairwoman at EPSRC said: “This innovative robotic gripper, inspired by the remarkable strength and efficiency of ants, is a great example of cutting-edge engineering research leading to real-world benefits.
“By mimicking the natural world, this new innovation has the potential to improve multiple sectors such as retail and environmental services, enhancing productivity and efficiency.”
