How do you a build the musculoskeletal system a humanoid robot? If
you're Sony, you use a system of servo motors, gears, metal rods and
cables. But that's a poor imitation of the human body where the movement
of limbs is dictated by the smooth, coordinated contraction of muscle
fibers. Enter the breakthrough: electroactive polymers, also called
artificial muscles. Recently unveiled by a scientist in
Albuquerque, these artificial muscles contract when exposed to an
electric current. Attach one end to the pelvis of a humanoid robot and
the other end to the back of its knee and you have a robot that can do
leg curls. Strap together enough such fibers, couple them with a smart
contact feedback system, and you can teach a robot to walk using its own
artificial muscles.
Imagine it: no motors to wear out, no cables to
snap, no rods to break: just muscle-like fibers that contract in
response to an electric current. It's nothing short of a revolution in
robotics. No doubt, the industry will rely heavily on this technology in
the years ahead. There's even hope that such fibers might somehow be
used in human patients to aid those who have, for one reason or another,
lost the use of their limbs.
In a creepy sort of way, these new
artificial muscles are now about to be put to the test in an arm
wrestling contest with high school students. As part of an upcoming
contest hosted by NASA, high school students will go hand-to-hand with
an artificial forearm powered by these electroactive polymers. Assuming
the robotic arm doesn't rip the limbs off these students (Terminator,
anyone?), this P.R. event should serve up some much-needed public
interest in robotics.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health researcher, author and award-winning journalist with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored more than 1,800 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, and he has authored and published several downloadable personal preparedness courses including a downloadable course focused on safety and self defense. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams created TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also the founder and CEO of a well known email mail merge software developer whose software, 'Email Marketing Director,' currently runs the NaturalNews email subscriptions. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and practices nature photography, Capoeira, martial arts and organic gardening. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
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Thursday, June 10, 2004
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