Introduction
Developing robots that can grasp and manipulate objects with precision is crucial in various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing. One of the significant challenges robots face is handling objects with varying textures, hardness, and fragility. Researchers at the QUT Centre for Robotics have developed a smart object that can measure the force applied by a robot when grasping an object, addressing this challenge.
Robotic Researchers Develop Smart Object to Measure Squeezing Force
Researchers at the QUT Centre for Robotics have designed a smart object that can assess how much force a robot applies when grasping an object, addressing the challenge robots face when handling various objects.
The research team, led by Dr. Fangyi Zhang, included contributions from research assistant Maceon Knopke and former research assistant and QUT master’s student Liguo Zhu.
Dr. Zhang explained that robots are required to handle both soft and hard objects, ensuring they grasp them securely without applying too much pressure, which could cause damage. “To find out how hard the robot is squeezing an object we built a smart object that can measure this squeezing force, how hard it is squeezed and where,” Dr Zhang said.
The paper tackles the difficulty in assessing robotic grasping of ‘compliant objects’ – which are objects that have an ability to yield elastically when a force is applied. Things like fruit or other delicate items, where precise force application is critical to prevent slippage or damage.
Mr. Knopke added that the research introduced a novel approach to evaluate robotic grasping of compliant objects by employing sensor-equipped objects that detect and measure the force applied. “A test design was proposed to use sensors and magnets to measure where and how strongly something is being touched,” Mr Knopke said.
He further noted that the design showed promising results, accurately identifying contact points and the amount of force during robotic tasks, demonstrating its potential for broader applications in evaluating robotic grasping performance. “The research included extensive testing, showcasing the effectiveness of the design in both single and multiple contact scenarios, paving the way for future enhancements,” Mr Knopke said.
Dr. Zhang emphasized that this work addresses a critical issue in robotics – measuring stress or potential damage to objects during handling – by offering a direct assessment method through innovative sensor integration. “The findings open new avenues for developing more sensitive and accurate performance evaluation toolkits, aiding the development and improvement of robotic systems capable of handling delicate objects,” Dr Zhang said.
He also pointed out that potential applications span various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing, where robotic systems must manage fragile items safely. Additionally, Dr. Zhang mentioned that he and his co-authors provided open access to supplementary materials, such as CAD models and source codes, to encourage further research and innovation in this area.
This work was supported by the QUT Centre for Robotics 2022 ECR and MCR Funding Scheme and the GentleMAN Project funded by the Research Council of Norway, indicating strong international collaboration.
Research Report:Read the paper: Towards Assessing Compliant Robotic Grasping From First-Object Perspective via Instrumented Objects
Conclusion
In conclusion, the QUT Centre for Robotics has made significant strides in developing a smart object that can measure the force applied by a robot when grasping an object. This innovation has the potential to improve the performance of robotic systems in various industries, where delicate objects must be handled with care. Further research and development are necessary to expand the application of this technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the primary challenge robots face when handling various objects?
The primary challenge robots face is handling objects with varying textures, hardness, and fragility. Robots need to ensure they grasp these objects securely without applying too much pressure, which could cause damage.
Q2: How does the smart object developed by the QUT Centre for Robotics address this challenge?
The smart object uses sensor-equipped objects that detect and measure the force applied by the robot when grasping an object. This innovation offers a direct assessment method through innovative sensor integration, enabling robots to measure stress or potential damage to objects during handling.
Q3: What industries will benefit from this technology?
Potential applications span various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing, where robotic systems must manage fragile items safely. This technology has the potential to improve the performance of robotic systems in these industries.
Q4: How did the researchers develop the smart object?
The researchers used sensors and magnets to measure where and how strongly something is being touched. The design was tested extensively, showcasing its effectiveness in both single and multiple contact scenarios, paving the way for future enhancements.
Q5: What is the future scope of this technology?
The findings open new avenues for developing more sensitive and accurate performance evaluation toolkits, aiding the development and improvement of robotic systems capable of handling delicate objects. Further research and development are necessary to expand the application of this technology.
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