Video: Engineers 3D print robotic tentacle

Soft actuator opens new possibilities for biomimetic robotic systems

Researchers from the US have developed a 3D printer and elastomer material that can print soft robotic octopus tentacles.

The engineers from Cornell University developed the 3D printing stereolithography system and prints layers of the elastomer in a way that duplicates the layout of the muscles in an octopus tentacle. The resultant soft actuator has agility and freedom of movement comparable to a real tentacle, say the researchers.

Rob Shepherd, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University, said: “Based on the demonstration reported here and the possibilities for improved materials, this nascent printing process for soft actuators is a promising route to sophisticated, biomimetic systems.”

Until now, he added, 3D printing methods could not directly print a soft robotic device with as much agility and degree of freedom as the new method provides study.

The paper “3D printing antagonistic systems of artificial muscle using projection stereolithography” can be viewed here, while a video showing the tentacle's production and operation can be seen below.