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 an award-winning journalist and holistic nutritionist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams co-founded NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video sharing site that has now grown in popularity. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NaturalNews subscriptions. Adams volunteers his time to serve as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body. 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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