Tech Briefs Magazine - June 2021 - MD-21

MOTION CONTROL CHANNEL
dented velocities. The key is the use of the spontaneous contraction
of muscle cell-based materials with a very compliant
skeleton.
Rather than working with stiff or tethered scaffolds to prepare
artificial ro bots, the researchers used biological robots
based on a flexible serpentine spring made of a polymer called
PDMS, which was designed and optimized via simulations and
then printed using 3D printing technology. The advantage of
this innovative scaffold lies in the improved training and development
of the tissue through mechanical self-stimulation
upon spontaneous contractions, which creates a feedback loop
due to the restoring force of the spring. This self-training event
leads to enhanced actuation and larger contraction force.
Such serpentine springs have not been included before in a
soft robotic living system. Besides the capacity to self-train, the
biohybrid swimmers based on skeletal muscle cells moved at
speeds 791 times faster than current skeletal muscle-based
biobots and were comparable with other cardiomyocyte-based
bioswimmers (based on heart cells).
The new biobots were also able to perform other movements.
They were able to coast when placed near the bottom
surface, resembling the swimming style of certain fish characterized
by sporadic bursts followed by coasting phases.
The work also has applications in drug delivery and development
of bionic prosthetics.
For more information, contact Josep Sami tier Martí at
jsamitier@ibecbarcelona.eu; +34 934 039 706.
3D Motion Tracking
System for Autonomous
Technology
The system could one day replace LiDAR
and cameras in automated manufacturing,
biomedical imaging, and autonomous
driving.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
A real-time 3D motion tracking system combines transparent
light detectors with advanced neural network methods
to create a system that could one day replace LiDAR and cameras
in autonomous technologies. The imaging system exploits
the advantages of transparent, nanoscale, highly sensitive
graph ene photodetectors.
The graphene photodetectors were tweaked to absorb only
about 10% of the light they're exposed to, making them nearly
transparent. Because graphene is so sensitive to light, this is sufficient
to generate images that can be reconstructed through
computational imaging. The photodetectors are stacked behind
each other, resulting in a compact system, and each layer focuses
on a different focal plane, which enables 3D imaging.
The team also tackled real-time mo tion tracking, which is critical
to a wide array of autonomous robotic applications. To do this,
Motion Design, June 2021
Cov
ToC
Bat-Inspired " Ear "
Detects Sound
Locations
A bat-like sound tracker being developed
at Virginia Tech could help
robots navigate through complex
environments. With a simple motor,
the synthetic ear flutters when it
receives an incoming sound.
www.techbriefs.com/tv/
bat-ear
Sponsored by
FEATURED SPONSOR VIDEO:
Clear Advantages for Window Machine Maker
See how Yaskawa servo motors helped the DeMichele Group automate
its production of custom window-frame components.
www.techbriefs.com/tv/YaskawaServos
" LOLA " Robot Uses
Arms for Balance
TUM engineers are adding multicontact
locomotion to their
humanoid robot. Watch how
" LOLA " uses its arms to handle
unexpected disruptions including
a push from a researcher.
www.techbriefs.com/tv/
Lola-robot
Simple " BOBbots "
Swarm to Accomplish
Complex Tasks
Who needs sensors, communi -
cation, memory, or computation?
New " dumb robots " from Georgia
Tech assemble into swarms to
collectively clear debris.
www.techbriefs.com/tv/
BOBbots
www.techbriefs.tv
21
http://www.techbriefs.com/tv/YaskawaServos http://www.techbriefs.com/tv/LOLA-robot http://www.techbriefs.com/tv/BOBbots http://www.techbriefs.com/tv/bat-ear http://www.techbriefs.tv http://www.abpi.net/ntbpdfclicks/l.php?202106TBNAV
Tech Briefs Magazine - June 2021

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