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Contact electrification or triboelectric charging is a long-known ubiquitous phenomenon which occurs on almost all material surfaces. It comprises the generation of longer- or shorter-lived static charges on the surface of a material upon contact with another material. The classical example is the charging of hairs with a rubber balloon. The effect is receiving increased attention as a possible mechanism to convert mechanical energy into electricity for energy harvesting. It is required that an electrode is installed near the charged surface (often a dielectric polymer) into which the generated charges can be electrostatically induced. Multiple artificial energy harvesters have been developed in the last decade to exploit this mechanism. Interestingly, also in nature, configurations exist that allow structures to convert mechanical energy into electricity by the triboelectric effect. These are especially the leaves of all living plants. Indeed, living plants have recently been used as triboelectric energy converters and for harvesting energy from leaf motion in the wind [1]–[5]. Here, we describe in detail how to measure triboelectric charges in the tissue of living plants, the particularities of measuring such signals in the organisms, and what is essential when using them for energy harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the concept, design, and development of a pneumatic braided muscle actuator, able to produce bidirectional force and motion. Such a capability can simplify the design and enhance the capabilities of robotic/automation systems using pneumatic muscles as actuators. Finite-element modeling is utilized as a design tool in order to study the feasibility of the concept, where a single braid structure is deformed to produce both contraction and elongation. A three-dimensional finite-element model of the actuator is developed and a number of nonlinear quasi-static simulations are performed using the explicit dynamic solver LS-Dyna to measure the blocked force and free displacement of the actuator. The effect of varying the end-fittings diameter and the length of the inner chamber on the mechanical characteristics of the actuator is also analyzed. The simulation results are validated through mechanical experimentation performed on the functional prototype. With an actuation pressure of 1 bar, the actuator is able to produce a contraction force of around 80 N, extension force of around 40 N, and an overall stroke of >40% of the total length of the actuator. Moreover, the novel actuator has been utilized as a main driver for a one degree of freedom variable stiffness joint, as a case study, to demonstrate the usability of the actuator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-technologies based on wirelessly powered and manoeuvred submillimeter device, i.e.,microrobots, are attracting growing attention. Their application in lab-on-a-chip systems, such as micromanipulation and in vitro cell sorting, is expected to steeply increase. However, the actuation, powering and control of microrobots are challenges that still need concrete solutions. Magnetic fields generally enable wireless navigation of microrobots, but proper control architectures and magnetic navigation systems are needed, depending on the specific task and on the level of interaction required to the user. Here we present a magnetic navigation platform intended for lab-on-a-chip applications and we address its usability with different levels of human involvement by using two control architectures: teleoperated and autonomous. We perform an experimental analysis to demonstrate that both architectures, enrolling different levels of interaction by the user, lead to reliable execution of the microrobotic task. First, we validate the open-loop response of the microrobotic system, and second, we evaluate the performance of the system by testing both control architectures with a standard mobility task. The results show that users can teleoperate the microrobot with 100% success rate, in 14.4\pm 1.9s with a normalized spatial mean error of 0.60\pm 0.13. Moreover, results show a fast decaying learning curve for the users involved in the study. Compared to this, when the navigation task is performed by the autonomous control, 100% success rate, a time of 8.0\pm 0.5s and a normalized spatial mean error of 0.50\pm 0.05 are obtained. Finally, we quantitatively demonstrate how both control methodologies enable very smooth movements of the microrobot, suggesting application for any task where repeatable and dexterous movements in liquid microenvironments are key requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the principles and theoretical investigations, supported by experimental measurements, aimed at designing and developing a novel mechatronic system for soil exploration, inspired by the apical part of the plant roots, named apex. Each single plant root has to move through the substrate, orienting itself along the gravity vector and locating water and nutrients. In the same way, the mechatronic apex can steer in all directions and it embeds a gravity sensor, a soil moisture gradient detector, as well as the electronics for sensory data acquisition and steering control. A bio-inspired algorithm reproducing the gravitropism and hydrotropism behaviors, typical of plants, was developed and tested on a purposive prototype of the mechatronic apex system, actuated by hydraulic pumps. Moreover, the design and testing of a novel bio-inspired osmotic actuator module, composed of three cells separated by couples of osmotic and ion-selective membranes, is also presented. Preliminary prototypes developed in acrylic material for testing the gravitropism and hydrotropism behaviors are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reports on the Robotics Flagship project which aims to establish a new paradigm that merges biology, materials science, and AI to build learning and collaborative robots that are adaptable and can coexist with humans. It also attempts to design those robots so that they seamlessly integrate into the planet's life cycle and preserve its resources, rather than consume them. Finally, the program intends to develop and propose new economic and social models for a world of intelligent robots, where social innovation complements and guides technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses research initiatives in the area of bioinspired robotics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Peccioli, a small medieval town in Italy, became one of the first places in the world where a robot was used (not demonstrated) to carry out a public service in the urban environment (from 15 June 2010 to 7 August 2010). Thirty-five real users accepted to trash their domestic waste using the robot DustCart, a mobile robot designed to collect, transport, and discharge rubbish bags in complete autonomy. During the testing period, the robot safely traveled along the public streets of Peccioli, carrying out its daily service and sharing the urban environment with the passers-by, bicycles, and cars, without causing any problems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]