Peristaltic locomotion with antagonistic actuators in soft robotics

TLDR

The paper introduces a soft robotic platform that achieves peristaltic locomotion. The platform uses a flexible braided mesh‑tube with NiTi coil actuators arranged antagonistically like Oligochaeta muscles, and a numerical model predicts how sequential contractions produce robust peristaltic motion and locomotion speed. Experimental results show that the antagonistic NiTi‑actuated mesh tube achieves robust peristaltic locomotion, enabling a fully soft robot with a flexible control unit and energy sources.

Abstract

This paper presents a soft robotic platform that exhibits peristaltic locomotion. The design principle is based on the unique antagonistic arrangement of radial/circular and longitudinal muscle groups of Oligochaeta. Sequential antagonistic motion is achieved in a flexible braided mesh-tube structure with NiTi coil actuators. A numerical model for the mesh structure describes how peristaltic motion induces robust locomotion and details the deformation by the contraction of NiTi actuators. Several peristaltic locomotion modes are modeled, tested, and compared on the basis of locomotion speed. The entire mechanical structure is made of flexible mesh materials and can withstand significant external impacts during locomotion. This approach can enable a completely soft robotic platform by employing a flexible control unit and energy sources.