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The Hydro Muscle and CRFC Valve: An Efficient and Compact Fluidic Robotic System

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Abstract

Hydro Muscle is fluid-actuated artificial muscle with top-rated strain and energy-efficient properties that can closely mimic biological muscle dynamics. In contrast, popular, 60-year-older McKibben muscle is not very efficient and cannot support a biologically realistic muscle strain. Currently, there are no low-cost commercially available fluid control valves that are suitable for a wide range of robotic applications. To address this market shortcoming, the Compact Robotic Flow Control (CRFC) Valve has been recently introduced. The IP-protected CRFC Valve can work in junction with the IP-protected Hydro Muscle. When integrated, Hydro Muscles and the CRFC Valve may be utilized as modular building blocks for robots that can be rapidly assembled and utilized as either perform-alone or wearable robotic systems. The synergy of the CRFC Valve with the cost-effective, energy-efficient, and excellent strain properties of the Hydro Muscle opens a door into a new age of fascinating, useful, and accessible/affordable fluid-operated wearable robotic solutions both in space and on Earth.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Felix Sanchez for his assistance with CAD for 3D printed leg platform and leg platform tests. The authors thank Thane Hunt for constructive discussion of flow control systems and his suggestions regarding 3D printing and servo control software.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robotics Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA

    Marko Popovic, Shannon Moffat, Julia D’Agostino, Ellie Clarrissimeaux, Eric Carkin & Matthew Bowers

Authors
  1. Marko Popovic
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  2. Shannon Moffat
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  3. Julia D’Agostino
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  4. Ellie Clarrissimeaux
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  5. Eric Carkin
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  6. Matthew Bowers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marko Popovic .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ras Labs, Inc., Boston, MA, USA

    Lenore Rasmussen

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Popovic, M., Moffat, S., D’Agostino, J., Clarrissimeaux, E., Carkin, E., Bowers, M. (2022). The Hydro Muscle and CRFC Valve: An Efficient and Compact Fluidic Robotic System. In: Rasmussen, L. (eds) Smart Materials. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70514-5_4

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