Novel Bioinspired Actuator Designs for Robotics

This book discusses biologically inspired robotic actuators designed to offer improved robot performance and approaching human-like efficiency and versatility. It assesses biological actuation and control in the human motor system, presents a range of technical actuation approaches, and discusses potential applications in wearable robots, i.e., powered prostheses and exoskeletons.

Gathering the findings of internationally respected researchers from various fields, the book provides a uniquely broad perspective on bioinspired actuator designs for robotics. Its scope includes fundamental aspects of biomechanics and neuromechanics, actuator and control design, and their application in (wearable) robotics. The book offers PhD students and advanced graduate students an essential introduction to the field, while providing researchers a cutting-edge research perspective.

Assesses biological actuation and control in the human motor system to inspire the development of robotic actuators Presents actuator design and control concepts including multiple degree of freedom, cellular, redundant, and hybrid approaches Discusses approaches to apply bioinspired elastic actuators in the context of rehabilitation and assistive robots

Inhalt
Introduction.- Recent research on biological actuation what can we learn from biology.- Variable impedance actuators and their relation to biology.- State of the art of engineered actuators approaching muscle behaviours.- Applying compliant actuators in wearable robots Verstraten, Flynn, Toxiri, Calanca, Lefeber.- Conclusions.