Something as easy for humans as plugging in a pair of earbuds is an almost impossible task for robots. The ability to manipulate thin, flexible objects like cables and wires isn’t commonly found in the robotics field.
However, that’s exactly what MIT’s latest soft robot specializes in. Hailing from the institution’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the robot is able to handle and untangle cords thanks to sensor-filled grippers inspired by human fingers.
The research team hopes that the technology can one day allow robots to perform tasks like folding clothes, placing sutures, and more industrial tasks like wiring a vehicle.
Nimble Fingers
MIT’s robot is equipped with two-fingered grippers that feature soft pads designed for fine manipulation. This allows it to handle objects like wires and sheets with ease. The CSAIL researchers reportedly modeled the design on how humans use their fingers to untangle knots.
Each robotic gripper is equipped with “fingertips” that are embedded with custom GelSight technology. The high-resolution tactile sensors are made of tiny cameras embedded in soft rubber that give the robot data on how a cable is situated between its fingers. Think of them like a human’s nervous system relaying information to the brain.
The GelSight sensors also convey information about how much force is being exerted on the cable by measuring how much friction is present as it moves across the pads. These readings allow the robot to dynamically adjust its grip to achieve a certain position. Essentially, this process replicates what humans do when trying to untangle a cord.
The team, led by post-doctoral student Yu She, demonstrated the robot’s ability to follow a USB cable along its length. Impressively, the bot was able to do so regardless of its starting position. It was also able to accomplish the task by using a hand-over-hand motion while working in sync with a second gripper.
Even more impressive is the CSAIL robot’s ability to plug a pair of earbuds into a phone’s headphone jack. That is a major accomplishment that opens the door for a wide variety of applications for the technology.
Robotic Helping Hand
Using robots to automate dangerous or dull, repetitive jobs is already commonplace. However, traditional systems aren’t able to function in certain areas. The CSAIL team hopes their tech can change that.
Building out the technology could allow robots to perform sophisticated tasks like tying knots, sewing sutures, and folding cloth. Any of these applications would instantly find a place in a related industry. By using a robot to do these tasks, humans are free to perform more complex duties.
The CSAIL team plans to look at using their tech in the auto industry first. Right now, automation is commonplace in vehicle production lines. However, wiring and threading cables is still done by human workers. It represents a major portion of non-robotic work in the industry. It’s easy to see how MIT’s soft robot could fill that gap in an automobile production line.
Regardless of where it ends up, this tech is a breakthrough for the robotics field that will likely lead to many new advances in the years to come.
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July 14, 2020 at 07:12PM
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MIT's newest soft robot can untangle cables and wires - The Burn-In
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