D7.2 - Inflatable fabric-based robot grasping devices

Researchers at Queen Mary’s have found a way to inflate fabric-based robot fingers and to combine these fingers to form resilient grippers. Fingers are made of airtight structures and are pleated on one side. As a result, they bend when air pressure is applied. Maximum payload achieved: 10Kg

The team has also developed grippers that are able to grasp a range of differently shaped objects that are unknown to the robot. Very little control or navigation strategies are needed to achieve a reliable grasp.

An interface to attach grippers with Franka and UR5 robots is currently being developed, and tactile sensing is being integrated. This project has reached TRL 3, meaning it has been demonstrated in a lab environment.