Robotic gripper with adaptable rigidity

Machine, Science & engineering

UNMET SEED

Many industrial sectors are still looking for technological solutions to robotize activities that suffer from a shortage of manpower, or those that expose workers to difficult or dangerous conditions. However, for many of these concrete applications, the tasks are complex and multi-purpose. Existing technologies still have major limitations in terms of adaptability.

For industrial robotics, certain processes require the robot to be able to adapt to objects of varying size, weight and fragility. Existing technologies consist of ultra-sophisticated robotic grippers, a kind of mechanical hand capable of reconfiguring itself thanks to micro-motors and complex fingers. Obviously, the cost of these solutions is far too high for many industries.

Video demonstration

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

The invention is a robotic finger with architecture incorporating a detachable stiffness-inducing element. Prof. Lionel Birglen designs and optimizes his robotic fingers so that connecting this element enables heavy objects to be lifted firmly, while disconnecting it enables a particularly fragile object to be grasped without crushing. The invention easily transforms a standard robot into a multi-mission robot, as the design of the finger enables the robot to connect or disconnect the stiffening element on its own. The invention is tested under realistic conditions in several scenarios present in industry

 

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

  • Flexibility/adaptability
  • Inexpensive solution
  • Easy to deploy

 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

  • Technology available for licensing
  • Search for industrial co-development partner
  • Eligibility for government funding for industrial/academic maturation program

 

APPLICATIONS

  • Industrial automation
  • Agriculture and agri-food robotics

 

PROTECTION

  • Patent application (PCT)

PERSONNES RESSOURCES

Lionel Birglen

LEAD INVENTOR
Department of mechanical engineering
Polytechnique Montréal

Sébastien Bergeron

CONTACT
Operations Director, Transfer
sebastien.bergeron@axelys.ca