Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Educational Soft Underwater Robot with an Electromagnetic Actuation
 
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
research article

Educational Soft Underwater Robot with an Electromagnetic Actuation

Hennig, Robert Marius  
•
Beaudette, Alex
•
Golecki, Holly M.
Show more
January 24, 2024
Soft Robotics

As demonstrated by the Soft Robotics Toolkit Platform, compliant robotics pose an exciting educational opportunity. Underwater robotics using soft undulating fins is an expansive research topic with applications such as exploration of underwater life or replicating 3d swarm behavior. To make this research area accessible for education we developed Educational Soft Underwater Robot with Electromagnetic Actuation (ESURMA), a humanoid soft underwater robot. We achieved advances in simplicity, modularity, and performance by implementing electromagnetic actuation into the caudal fin. An electromagnet, including electronics, is placed in a waterproof housing, and permanent magnets are embedded in a soft silicone cast tail. The force from their magnetic interaction results in a bending movement of the tail. The magnetic actuation is simple to implement and requires no mechanical connection between the actuated component and the electrically controlled coil. This enables robust waterproofing and makes the device fully modular. Thanks to the direct and immediate transmission of force, experimental flapping frequencies of 14Hz were achieved, an order of magnitude higher compared to pneumatically actuated tails. The completely silent actuation of the caudal fin enables a maximum swimming speed of 14.3cm/s. With its humanoid shape, modular composition, and cost efficiency ESURMA represents an attractive platform for education and demonstrates an alternative method of actuating soft structures.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1089/soro.2021.0181
Web of Science ID

WOS:001167880900002

Author(s)
Hennig, Robert Marius  
•
Beaudette, Alex
•
Golecki, Holly M.
•
Walsh, Conor J.
Date Issued

2024-01-24

Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc

Published in
Soft Robotics
Subjects

Technology

•

Soft Robotic

•

Education

•

Injection Molding

•

Electromagnetic

•

Underwater Locomotion

•

Fin Propulsion

Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LMTS  
FunderGrant Number

Office of Naval Research Award

N000141912386

NSF

2213926

Available on Infoscience
April 3, 2024
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/206813
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés